Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  U.S.A. 
DioceBe  of  Pa.   Society  for 
Advp.ncement  of  Christianity 


The  First  Report  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees 


KX59I8I 
..T4A6 


• 


THE 


FIRST  REPORT 


BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 


SOCIETY  OF  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


Advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania. 


Made  at  the  Anniversary  of  the  Society,  January  6,  18J3. 


WITH  THE 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  SOCIETY 


A  LIST  OF  ITS  MEMBERS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  SOCIETY. 

William  Fry,  Printer. 
1813. 


FIRST  REPORT 


OF  THE 


BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 


In  compliance  with  that  article  of  the  Constitution, 
which  directs,  that,  "  at  every  anniversary,  the  Board 
of  Trustees  shall  lay  before  the  Society  a  report  of  their 
proceedings  during  the  preceding  year,  shall  exhibit  a 
full  and  accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  funds  and  other 
property,  and  inform  the  members  of  any  matters  rela- 
tive to  the  objects  of  the  Society  which  may  be  inte- 
resting to  them;"  the  Board  of  Trustees  submit  to  the 
Society  their  first  Report. 

When  it  is  recollected,  that  little  more  than  eight 
months  have  elapsed  since  the  organization  of  the  Soci- 
ety was  first  contemplated,  and  that  in  the  establishment 
of  all  similar  institutions,  difficulties  are  to  be  encoun- 
tered, the  means  of  removing  or  overcoming  which  ex- 
perience alone  can  suggest,  the  most  sanguine  promoter 
of  the  objects  proposed  could  scarcely  expect,  that  more 
had  yet  been  accomplished  than  in  some  degree  to  pre- 
pare the  way  for  exertion  during  the  ensuing  year. 

It  is  therefore  with  great  pleasure  that  the  Trustees 
feel  themselves  authorized  to  state,  that  much  which  it 
was  at  first  supposed  could  not  be  undertaken,  until  the 
institution  had  arrived  at  some  degree  of  maturity,  has 
already  been  performed,  and  to  congratulate  the  Society 


4 

upon  the  pleasing  prospects  of  success  in  the  laudable 
design  for  which  they  were  associated,  which  the  short 
period  already  elapsed  has  opened  to  them. 

Among  the  various  objects  which  were  presented  to 
the  consideration  of  the  Trustees,  none  appeared  to  them 
more  important  than  that  of  endeavouring  "  to  afford  as- 
sistance to  such  churches  in  the  state,  whose  members 
were  not  sufficiently  numerous  or  wealthy  to  support 
established  ministers,  by  sending  missionaries  for  their 
spiritual  comfort  and  assistance."  To  this,  therefore, 
their  attention  was  early  directed.  The  first  steps  to- 
wards effecting  it,  appeared  to  be,  to  render  the  exist- 
ence and  views  of  the  Society  generally  known  through- 
out the  state;  to  obtain  correct  information  relative  to 
the  situation  of  the  Episcopal  congregations  in  it;  the 
opportunities  afforded  to  their  members  of  attending 
divine  worship,  and  to  ascertain  in  what  places  the  la- 
bours of  a  missionary  would  be  most  useful.  For  this 
purpose  letters  were  addressed  by  the  Corresponding 
Secretary  to  members  of  the  church,  residing  in  the  dif- 
ferent parishes  in  the  state,  soliciting  the  desired  infor- 
mation, and  enclosmg  copies  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
Society.  From  several  of  them  answers  were  received, 
expressing  great  satisfaction  in  the  establishment  of 
such  an  institution,  a  conviction  that  the  labours  of  its 
members  would  be  eminently  useful  in  turning  many  to 
righteousness,  and  promising  to  co-operate  in  promo- 
ting their  views.  The  information  obtained,  however, 
was  far  from  being  as  ample  as  was  desired.  The  know- 
ledge of  the  writers  was  confined  to  the  particular  dis- 
tricts in  which  they  resided,  and  the  number  of  com- 
munications was  not  sufficient  to  enable  the  Trustees  to 
form  an  opinion  as  to  the  situation  of  the  church  in  any 


considerable  portion  of  the  state.  Those  communica- 
tions however  were  fully  sufficient  to  convince  them 
that  the  harvest  was  indeed  ready,  and  that  labourers 
only  were  wanting.  It  was  therefore  determined,  as  the 
state  of  the  funds  authorized  the  measure,  to  endeavour 
to  obtain  the  services  of  a  clergyman  of  suitable  talents 
and  acquirements  to  visit  those  churches  in  the  state,  in 
which  there  were  no  settled  ministers.  A  committee  was 
accordingly  appointed  for  that  purpose,  and  immedi- 
ately procured  the  ready  and  cheerful  consent  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Pilmore  and  the  Rev.  Jackson  Kem- 
per to  give  their  services  in  this  first  attempt  of  the 
Society  to  advance  the  interests  and  to  diffuse  the 
blessings  of  Christianity.  No  selection  could  have  been 
more  judicious.  The  character  of  these  gentlemen,  and 
their  situation  as  officers  of  the  Society,  justified  the 
belief,  that  they  would  be  enabled  to  extend  a  know- 
ledge of  its  views,  to  produce  and  confirm  a  sympathy 
of  feeling  highly  requisite  to  insure  snceess,  and  to  ob- 
tain that  information  which  was  so  essentially  necessary 
to  direct  its  future  operations.  The  mission  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Pilmore,  from  his  engagements  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, was  necessarily  confined  to  the  counties  adja- 
cent to  it,  and  was  very  limited  in  its  duration.  In  con- 
sequence of  the  arrangements  made  by  the  Trustees 
(with  the  approbation  of  the  Rector  and  Vestry)  to  sup- 
ply the  place  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kemper  in  the  united 
churches  of  the  city,  he  was  enabled  to  be  absent  during 
a  period  of  three  months,  and  to  visit  the  most  remote 
districts  of  the  state.  Ardently  desirous  of  promoting 
the  views  of  the  Society,  and  to  effect  the  object  of  his 
mission,  every  exertion  has  been  made  by  him  for  those 
purposes.  The  result  of  his  labours  will  best  appear 


from  the  report  made  by  him  upon  his  return,  which 
will  be  laid  before  the  Society.* 

Another  object  proposed  by  the  Constitution  of  the 
Society,  that  of  providing  means  for  the  education  of 
young  men  willing  to  devote  themselves  to  the  chris- 
tian ministry,  has  also  received  from  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees that  consideration  which  its  importance  merited. 
They  were  sensible  however  that  while  the  importance 
of  the  subject  claimed  their  early  attention,  it  also  re- 
quired the  most  mature  deliberation.  Although  deeply 
impressed  with  the  conviction,  that  no  part  of  the  de- 
sign of  the  institution  would  have  a  greater  influence 
upon  the  prosperity  of  the  church,  than  that  "  of  taking 
by  the  hand  youths  of  genius  and  piety  who  need  the 
fostering  aid  of  benevolence,  and  are  meet  to  be  trained 
up  for  the  ministry,"  they  were  duly  sensible  that  while 
they  were  considering  what  was  desirable,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  keep  in  view  the  resources  of  the  Society,  in  or- 
der that  the  measures  which  they  might  adopt  should 
be  practicable.  It  was  deemed  expedient,  therefore,  un- 
til the  funds  were  increased,  and  they  were  thereby  ena- 
bled to  afford  more  efficient  aid  to  the  candidates  for  the 
sacred  office,  that  a  committee  should  be  appointed, 
whose  duty  it  should  be  to  take  under  their  particular 
charge  and  care,  all  books  of  which  the  Society  may 
become  possessed,  either  by  loan,  gift  or  purchase, 
(those  excepted  which  shall  be  procured  for  the  pur- 
pose of  distribution)  and  to  grant  the  use  of  them  under 
suitable  regulations  to  candidates  for  the  ministry  of  the 
church.  That  they  should  report  from  time  to  time  to 

*  It  has  been  deemed  proper  to  publish  some  extracts  from  Mr. 
Kemper's  report  for  ihe  information  of  those  members  who  were 
not  present  at  the  general  meeting  of  the  Society.  See  Appendix. 


the  Board  the  titles  of  such  books  as  in  their  opinion 
may  be  necessary,  with  those  in  the  possession  of  the 
Society,  to  form  a  complete  hbrary  for  the  study  of  the- 
ology, that  order  may  be  taken  for  the  procuring  of  the 
same;  and  that  they  should  inform  themselves  of  the 
situation  and  circumstances  of  such  youths  of  genius 
and  piety  "  as  are  desirous  of  preparing  themselves  as 
candidates  for  the  ministry,  but  need  the  fostering  aid 
of  the  society  for  that  purpose,"  and  communicate  the 
same  to  the  Trustees,  that  suitable  aid  might  be  ex- 
tended to  them.  Sensible,  however,  that  the  diffidence 
which  accompanies  genuine  worth,  might  induce  an  un- 
willingness to  apply  for  assistance  in  any  pursuit,  how- 
ever meritorious,  the  committee  were  directed  not  to 
disclose  the  name  of  any  candidate  in  whose  behalf  ap- 
plication should  be  made,  unless  with  his  approbation. 
These  measures  appeared  to  be  all  which  the  Board, 
during  the  infancy  of  the  institution,  could  with  pru- 
dence adopt.  They  undoubtedly  required  the  lapse  of  a 
considerable  period  of  time,  before  in  consequence  of 
them,  any  very  efficient  aid  would  be  afforded  to  the 
candidates  in  their  theological  studies;  but  it  was  hoped 
that  they  would  at  least  serve  as  the  basis  of  a  system 
which,  as  the  funds  of  the  Society  increased,  would  af- 
ford to  those  students  who  could  not  otherwise  procure 
them,  a  ready  access  to  those  works,  the  study  of  which 
is  deemed  necessary  by  the  House  of  Bishops  to  qualify 
a  candidate  for  orders,  and  to  render  him  a  more  useful 
advocate  of  the  gospel  of  the  Redeemer.  Subsequent 
occurrences  induce  the  Trustees  to  hope  that  the  only 
objection  lo  the  plan  proposed,  that  of  the  delay  which 
would  attend  its  completion,  will  be  in  a  great  degree 
removed.   Information  having  been  communicated  to 


8 

them,  that  a  very  valuable  collection  of  theological 
books,  many  of  them  exceedingly  rare  and  difficult  to 
be  procured,  is  owned  by  the  vestry  of  the  united 
churches  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  by  them  de- 
posited in  St.  James's  church,  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed to  make  a  respectful  application  to  that  body  for  the 
use  of  those  books  under  such  regulations  as  might  be 
deemed  necessary  to  preserve  them  from  loss  or  injury. 
There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  at  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  vestry  the  permission  solicited  will  be  granted 
by  them.  That  collection,  with  the  addition  of  some 
more  modern  works,  which  it  is  hoped  will  be  presented 
to  the  Society,  or  may  be  purchased  from  their  funds, 
will  form  a  library  not  merely  sufficient  for  the  educa- 
tion of  students  in  theology,  but  copious  enough  to  in* 
dulge  to  the  fullest  extent  a  laudable  zeal  and  curiosity 
in  their  studies. 

By  the  sixth  article  of  the  constitution,  the  Trustees 
are  directed  to  submit  their  proceedings  to  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  state  Convention,  in  order  to  affiard  an  oppor- 
tunity for  their  opinions  and  remarks.  That  duty  was 
accordingly  performed  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  con- 
vention in  May  last,  and  it  affiards  the  Trustees  the  most 
sincere  satisfaction  to  state  that  the  objects  and  views 
of  the  Society  received  the  unqualified  approbation  of 
that  highly  respectable  body;  and  that  as  a  proof  of 
their  desire  to  co-operate  in  promoting  them,  they  re- 
signed to  the  Society  their  right  to  a  sum  formerly  col- 
lected for  the  support  of  missionaries,  in  consequence 
of  which  two  hundred  and  eighty-seven  dollars  and 
thirty- eight  cents  have  been  received  by  the  Treasurer. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  their  proceedings, 
transmitted  by  them  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 


9 

*'  Extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  twenty-eighth 
**  convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
"  state  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  A  letter  was  received  from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
"  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Society  for  the  Advancement 
"  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania,  enclosing  copies  of 
"  their  address  and  constitution. 

"  The  letter  and  the  constitution  of  the  Society  having 
"  been  read,  on  motion  it  was  unanimously  resolved, 
*'  That  this  Convention  have  received  with  much  plea- 
"  sure,  information  of  the  establishment  of  the  Protes- 
"  tant  Episcopal  Society  for  the  advancement  of  Chris- 
"  tianity  in  Pennsylvania;  that  they  give  their  unquali- 
*'  fied  approbation  to  so  laudable  an  institution;  and 
"  promise  to  co-operate  with  them  in  promoting  their 
"  grand  and  benevolent  designs. 

"  It  having  been  stated  that  the  sum  of  two  hundred 
"  and  seventy  dollars,  or  thereabouts,  formerly  collecred 
<'  for  a  plan  to  be  thereafter  instituted  for  the  support 
"  of  missionaries  is  now  in  the  hands  of  a  gentleman 
"  who  is  ready  to  pay  it  as  this  Board  shall  direct, 

"  Resolved,  that  this  Convention  do  hereby  resign 
"  their  right  to  the  said  sum,  and  request  that  it  may 
«'  be  paid  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
"  Society,  and  for  the  use  of  said  Society." 

The  funds  of  the  institution,  upon  the  extent  of  which 
its  usefulness  materially  depends,  claimed  and  received 
the  early  attention  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  It  is  evi- 
dent that  whatever  may  be  the  wishes  or  zeal  of  the  of- 
ficers of  the  Society,  without  the  liberal  contributions 
of  its  members,  nothing  effective  can  be  done.  It  is  a 
matter  of  gratification  therefore,  that  the  funds  of  the 
institution  have  been  quite  as  great  as  at  its  commence- 

B 


10 

ment  could  have  been  expected.  It  appears  from  the 
Treasurer'^  Report,  that  the  amount  received  since  the 
twenty- seventh  day  of  April  last,  when  the  Society  was 
organized,  is  two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eight  dol- 
lars two  cents.  Of  this  suni  nine  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars arise  from  life  subscriptions,  one  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  dollars  from  annual  subscriptions, 
one  hundred  and  forty- eight  dollars  fifty  cents  from  do- 
nations, forty-seven  dollars  fourteen  cents  from  the  con- 
tributions of  distant  churches  received  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Kemper   during   his  mission,  and  two  hundred  and 
eighty-seven  dollars  thirty-eight  cents  have   been  re- 
ceived in  consequence  of  the  resolution  of  the  conven- 
tion of  the  state,  as  mentioned  in  a  previous  part  of  this 
Report.  Of  these  receipts  one  thousand  five  hundred  and 
ninety  dollars  have  been  permanently  invested  in  five 
shares  of  the  stock  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster 
turnpike;  one  hundred  dollars  in  the  purchase  of  prayer 
books;  six  hundred  and  twenty -nine  dollars  two  cents 
have  been  disbursed  in  the  various  expenses  of  the  So- 
ciety; and  three  hundred  and  eighty-nine  dollars  remain 
unexpended  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer.  The  sum 
actually  expended  by  the  Society  in  their  mission  has 
been  very  small,  as  the  services  of  Mr.  Kemper  were 
proffered  without  any  other  remuneration  than  his  actual 
disbursements.  The  expenses  of  the  Society  in  future 
years  must  naturally  be  much  greater  than  during  the 
past,  as  their  operations  will  be  more  extensive,  and 
will  include  a  salary  to  the  missionaries.  The  informa- 
tion of  which  they  are  now  possessed  respecting  the 
state  of  the  church  in  the  different  parts  of  the  common- 
wealth will  enable  them  to  direct  their  efforts  with  the 
greatest  effect,  and  to  a  great  extent.  Whether  the  an- 


11 

iiual  receipts  will  hereafter  l:>e  adequate  to  the  demands, 
cannot  now  be  said:  but  while  the  liberality  of  the  whole 
christian  world  is  exerting  itself  in  carrying  the  light  of 
the  gospel  to  distant  regions,  and  diffusing  it  among 
heathen  nations,  it  is  not  to  be  feared  that  it  will  be  suf- 
fered to  become  extinct  in  any  part  of  our  own  land, 
and  among  a  people  upon  whom  the  name  of  Christ  has 
been  already  named.  Nor  while  all  other  classes  of 
christians  are  strenuously  active  in  extending  their  re- 
spective denominations,  is  it  to  be  apprehended  that 
Episcopalians  alone  will  intermit  their  exertions  to  build 
up  their  own  church,  and  establish  their  own  people,  in 
their  most  holy  faith. 

Desirous  of  effecting,  as  far  as  the  state  of  the  funds 
would  admit,  all  the  objects  of  the  association,  the  Trus- 
tees have  purchased  at  an  average  price  of  less  than 
fifty  cents  a  copy,  a  number  of  copies  of  the  book  of 
Common  Prayer — of  which  some  have  been  already 
distributed.  Arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  dis- 
tribution  of  the  remainder,  and  of  such  religious  tracts, 
and  other  works  of  approved  reputation,  as  may  tend  to 
the  advancement  of  Christianity.  Sensible  of  the  impor- 
tance of  this  part  of  the  plan  of  the  Society,  the  direc- 
tion of  it  has  been  entrusted  to  a  committee,  whose  at- 
tention will  be  devoted  to  its  accomplishment. 

In  pursuance  of  the  direction  of  the  last  article  of  the 
Constitution,  application  has  been  made  by  the  Trus- 
tees, in  the  mode  prescribed  by  law,  for  a  charter  of 
incorporation.  The  committee  to  whom  that  duty  was 
assigned  have  reported,  that  a  charter  will  be  obtained 
during  the  present  term  of  the  supreme  court,  and  the 
usual  rights  and  privileges  of  incorporated  bodies  be 
thereby  secured  to  the  Society. 


^2 

While  the  Trustees  derive  the  most  sincere  satisfac- 
tion from  being  enabled  to  submit  so  favourahie  a  state- 
ment of  the  pi  ogress  of  the  important  work  committed 
to  their  charge,  and  while  they  cherish  the  hope  that, 
aided  by  that  Being  without  whose  assistance  all  human 
exertions  are  vain,  their  successors  will  establish  upon 
the  foundation  already  laid,  a  system  which  will  tend  to 
enlarge  the  bounds  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  upon 
earth,  they  cannot  close  their  Report  without  suggest- 
ing, that  the  fulfilment  of  that  hope  must,  under  God, 
materially  depend  upon  the  continued  exertions  and 
persevering  zeal  of  the  present  members  of  the  Society. 
Although  the  instiiution  has  considerably  advanced  in 
strength,  it  is  still  in  its  infancy.  Upon  the  character 
which  shall  be  established,  and  the  exertions  which  shall 
be  made  during  the  ensuing  year,  its  future  success 
may  depend.  The  Trustees  however  deem  it  unneces- 
sary to  suggest  to  the  members,  motives  for  persever- 
ance in  the  work  they  have  commenced.  They  are  con- 
vinced, that  to  those  whose  sole  object  in  associating 
themselves  was  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  their 
fellow  beings,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  state  that  only  per- 
severance is  required  to  complete  their  design.  They 
feel  assured  that  to  advance  the  interests  of  an  institu- 
tion of  which  the  only  limit  to  its  usefulness  is  the  limit 
of  its  means,  the  exertions  of  its  members  will  not  be 
wanting.  And  if  one  fellow  mortal  is,  in  consequence 
of  those  exertions  led  from  the  shades  of  spiritual  dark- 
ness to  the  cheering  sunshine  of  gospel  light, — if  ihey 
receive  the  blessing  of  but  one  who  was  ready  to  perish^ 
they  will  be  amply  rewarded. 

January  6th,  1813. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  President. 


APPENDIX. 

PREVIOUS  to  Mr.  Kemper's  leaving  the  city,  the 
Bishop  favoured  him  with  the  following  letter  of  intro- 
duction. 

"  The  Society  for  the  advancement  of  Christianity  in 
this  state,  having  agreed  with  tht  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper 
to  visit  certain  churches  within  the  same,  nou'  destitute 
of  pastors,  I  hereby  declare  my  approbation  of  his  mis- 
sion to  the  said  churches:  it  being  also  understood,  as 
well  by  the  Society  as  by  myself,  that  he  is  to  extend 
his  ministry  to  neighbourhoods,  in  which  there  may  be 
no  churches;  and  yet  resident  Episcopalians  to  whom 
his  ministry  may  be  useful. 

"  I  certify  to  the  churches  and  to  the  vicinities  which 
he  may  visit,  that  he  is  a  clergyman  in  deacon's  orders, 
and  of  approved  faith  and  morals:  confiding  that  they 
will  receive  him  with  affection  and  respect,  and  afford 
him  all  the  aid  which  shall  be  in  their  power,  to  carry 
the  rehgious  design  of  liis  visits  to  them  into  effect. 

"  And  it  is  my  request  to  the  parochial  clergy  through 
whose  cures  he  may  travel,  and  to  whom  he  may  com- 
municate the  object  of  his  mission,  that  they  will  fur- 
nish him  with  whatever  information  may  be  serviceable 
to  him  in  the  important  mission  on  which  he  has  en= 
tered;  and  especially  in  regard  to  any  unsupplied  places 
in  their  respective  neighbourhoods,  in  which  his  preach- 
ing may  be  the  mean,  under  God,  of  raising  congrega- 
tions. 

WILLIAM  WHITE, 

Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania." 


14 

He  likewise  received  from  the  Bishop  a  letter  of  in- 
structions, which  was  his  guide  in  all  the  communica- 
tions he  had  with  the  different  congregations  he  visited, 
and  to  which,  as  required,  he  has  returned  a  Report. 

"  Philadelphia,  August  8,  1812. 
<'  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

*'  I  enclose  a  list  of  our  vacant  congregations.  These 
are  to  be  considered  as  primarily  the  objects  of  the  mis- 
sionary labours  on  which  you  are  entering:  not  how- 
ever to  the  exclusion  of  other  places,  in  which  your 
preaching  may  be  the  mean  of  raismg  congregations. 
Besides,  whatever  further  information  I  may  receive 
from  you  on  your  return,  as  the  result  of  your  own  ob- 
servations and  reflections,  I  shall  be  especially  desirous 
of  being  informed  on  the  following  heads: 

*'  1st,  At  what  places  and  at  what  times  you  shall 
have  preached,  and  have  performed  divine  service  du- 
ring your  mission. 

*'  2d,  How  many  adults  and  how  many  infants  you 
shall  have  baptised,  and  at  what  places. 

"3d,  How  many  persons  there  are  in  each  church  or 
neighbourhood  visited,  who  are  communicants,  or  are 
desirous  of  becoming  such  in  case  of  opportunity. 

•'  4th,  In  regard  to  each  place,  whether,  in  case  of  a 
visit  by  me  for  the  administering  of  the  rite  of  confirma- 
tion, there  be  the  prospect  of  such  a  visit's  being  pre- 
ceded by  the  visits  of  any  nearer  clergyman,  for  the 
purpose  of  preparation. 

"  5th,  What  may  be  supposed  in  the  power  of  any 
church,  towards  the  raising  of  a  support  for  a  settled 
minister  among  them. 

"  On  the  above  subjects,  I  shall  expect  a  report  from 
you  on  your  return;  and  am,  in  the  mean  time,  with 


15 

my  wishes  and  prayers  for  the  success  of  your  ministry 
in  this  department,  and  for  your  health  and  safety, 

Your's  affectionately, 

WILLIAM  WHITE." 

Mr.  Kemper  found  many  Episcopalians  scattered 
throughout  the  state.  In  some  places  there  are  remain- 
ing merely  the  fragments  of  congregations  which  were 
once  numerous  and  flourishing.  There  is  every  reason 
however  to  believe,  that  these  could  soon  be  revived, 
and  that  the  apparent  apathy  which  now  prevails  would 
give  place  to  a  lively  zeal  for  the  interests  of  religion,  if 
a  few  pious  clergymen  could  be  induced  to  settle  among 
thf  m  in  the  capacity  of  missionaries  from  the  Society. 
Surely  it  becomes,  may  we  not  say,  the  absolute  duty 
of  those  whom  the  i\.lmighty  has  blessed  in  their  tem- 
poral concerns,  and  who  have  an  opportunity  of  enjoy- 
ing all  the  privileges  of  Christianity,  to  do  good,  espe- 
cially unto  those  who  are  of  the  household  of  faith,  by 
enabling  them  to  possess  equal  advantages  with  them- 
selves. , 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  conclusion  of 
Mr.  Kemper's  report. 

"  1  have  all  along  considered  my  mission  merely  as  a 
journey  of  discovery,  during  which  I  was  to  endeavour 
to  obtain  as  accurate  a  knowledge  as  possible  of  the  real 
situation  of  our  church.  To  have  examined  fully  into 
this  subject  would  have  occupied  six  months  instead  of 
three;  but  I  trust  I  have  brought  home  sufficient  infor- 
mation to  encourage  the  Society  in  its  laudable  endea- 
vours, and  to  sanction  the  utmost  exertions  that  can 
possibly  be  made  in  this  best  of  causes." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  at  this  time  six,  or  even 
eight  missionaries  might  be  constantly  and  most  use- 


IS 

fully  employed  among  those  who  are  professedly  Epis- 
copalians. The  expenses  of  these  missionaries  would 
not  be  so  great  as  might  at  first  view  be  imagined,  for 
many  of  them  would  be  nearly,  if  not  entirely,  supported 
by  the  people  among  wliom  they  officiated." 

"  From  Pittbburg  I  went  to  Brownsville  in  Fayette 
county.  At  this  place  and  its  neighbourhood  there  are 
a  number  of  Episcopalians.  I  officiated  here  twice  on 
Sunday  the  13th,  in  the  Methodi-bt  meeting.  In  the  af- 
ternoon the  Rev.  Mr.  Ayers  assisted  me  by  reading 
prayers.  In  the  vicinity  of  this  place  there  are  five  Epis- 
copal churches;  not  one  of  which  is  situated  more  than 
twelve  miles  from  it.  It  is  a  long  while  since  these  build- 
ings have  been  opened  for  the  performance  of  our  ser- 
vice, and  since  those  endeavours  have  been  used  which 
are  necessary  to  preserve  them  from  dilapidation." 

"  There  are  seven  churches  near  Philadelphia,  which 
in  all  probability,  during  the  whole  of  this  winter,  will 
be  destitute  of  clergymen." 

"  Let  not  the  Society  feel  disposed  to  withhold  their 
aid,  or  to  limit  the  utmost  exertions  that  are  in  their 
power,  because  they  are  not  pressed  and  solicited  by  the 
vacant  congregations  to  affiurd  them  relief.  Upon  such 
a  principle,  Christianity  never  would  have  been  propa- 
gated. As  we  are  able,  so  we  should  be  willing,  and  re- 
joice at  the  opportunity,  to  seek  the  almost  lost  sheep 
of  that  fold  to  which  we  have  the  happiness  to  belong. 
They  will  receive  our  missionaries  in  the  first  place  with 
politeness,  and  soon  with  joy. 

*'  I  cannot  but  think  that  the  establishment  of  our 
church  in  the  whole  western  part  of  the  United  Slates 
will  depend  in  a  great  measure  upon  this  Society.  The 
advancement  must  he  gradually  from  the  east.  Let  the 


17 

church  be  but  fairly  established  at  the  conflux  of  the 
Monongahela  and  Alleghany,  and  in  thai  neighbour- 
hood, and  there  is  no  fear  but  that  many  of  its  profess- 
ing members  who  are  scattered  through  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee,  will  yet  be  firmly  settled  in  the 
faith  of  their  fathers.'* 

"  The  languishing  state  of  the  churches  which  I  vi- 
sited have  deeply  interested  me;  perhaps  more  particu- 
larly so,  as  I  feel  confident  that  the  Society  is  able,  with 
the  blessing  of  the  Almighty,  to  revive  and  nourish 
them.'* 


The  Honourable  William  Tilghman  and  James  Milnor 
and  William  Meredith,  Esquires,  are  a  committee  ap- 
pointed to  receive  applications  from  those  who  are  de- 
sirous of  assistance  in  the  prosecution  of  their  theolo- 
gical studies. 

These  gentlemen  have  likewise  the  care  of  the  libra- 
ry, and  will  gratefully  receive  donations  in  books  from 
all  those  friends  of  Episcopacy  who  are  inclined  to  assist 
the  Society  in  the  formation  of  a  complete  theological 
library. 


CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE  I. 

THE  name  of  this  Society  shall  be  "  The  Society  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  for  the  Advancement 
of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania."  Its  object  is  the  pro- 
motion of  christian  knowledge,  learning  and  piety,  in 
this  state. 

ARTICLE  n. 

The  officers  of  the  Society  shall  be  a  president,  three 
vice  presidents,  twenty  trustees,  a  treasurer,  a  corre- 
sponding secretary,  and  a  recordmg  secretary,  who,  to- 
gether, shall  form  a  board,  to  be  denominated,  "  The 
Board  of  Trustees;"  any  five  of  whom  shall  form  a  quo* 
rum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  The  bishop  shall, 
ex  officio,  be  president  of  the  society.  The  other  officers 
shall  be  appointed  by  ballot  at  the  anniversary  meeting 
of  the  society,  and  a  plurality  of  votes  shall  constitute 
a  choice. 

Clergymen  of  the  church,  resident  in  the  city  or 
county  of  Philadelphia,  members  of  the  society,  and 
entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  state  convention,  shall  be  trus- 
tees of  the  society,  in  addition  to  the  trustees  to  be 
elected  as  aforesaid,  and  with  similar  powers — provided 
they  do  not  exceed  nine  in  number — and  when  they 
exceed  that  number,  it  shall  be  confined  to  the  nine 
eldest  in  settlement. 

Vacancies  in  the  offices  of  the  society,  shall  be  filled 
by  the  board  of  trustees,  until  the  annual  election  next 
succeeding  the  happening  of  such  vacancies. 


20 

ARTICLE  III. 

Every  member  of  the  society  shall,  during  member- 
ship,  pay  annually  in  advance  to  the  treasurer,  the  sum 
of  five  dollars,  for  the  use  of  the  society.  Such  persons 
as  shall  at  any  time  pay  fifty  dollars,  or  more,  shali  be 
members  of  the  society  for  life  without  the  annual  pay- 
ment; such  donations  as  the  pious  and  benevolent  may 
at  any  time  make,  for  the  promotion  of  the  purposes  of 
the  society,  shall  also  be  received  by  the  treasurer;  and 
the  trustees  shall  cause  a  record  to  be  kept  of  the  names 
of  all  such  benefactors,  with  an  account  of  their  dona- 
tions. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

The  lands  or  other  real  estate  which  the  society  may 
at  any  time  acquire,  shall  be  devoted  to  furthering  their 
general  objects;  and  shall  be  held,  occupied,  appropria- 
ted and  disposed  of  in  such  manner  as  the  by-laws  and 
resolutions  of  the  society  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  V. 

There  shall  be  annually  a  meeting  of  the  society  in 
Philadelphia,  on  the  feast  of  the  Epiphany;  on  which 
day,  or  on  such  other  day,  and  in  such  church  as  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  board  of  trustees,  a  sermon,  suita- 
ble to  the  occasion,  shall  be  preached  before  them,  by 
such  clergyman  as  shall  have  been  appointed  for  that 
purpose  by  the  board  of  trustees;  after  which  a  collec- 
tion shall  be  made  for  the  increase  of  the  funds  of  the 
society.  The  rectors  of  other  churches  shall  be  invited 
to  have  services  performed,  and  collections  made,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  institution,  on  such  days  and  in  such 
manner  as  may  be  agreeable  to  the  proper  parochial  au- 
thority; and  whenever  the  feast  of  the  Epiphany  shall 


2i 

fall  on  Sunday,  the  secular  business  of  the  society  shall 
be  performed  on  the  day  after. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

The  board  of  trustees  shall  hold  stated  meetings  at 
the  least  four  times  a  year,  and  may  hold  adjourned 
meetings  when  necessary. — Special  meetings  may  be 
called  by  the  president,  or  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the 
presidency,  by  the  senior  vice-president,  or  by  a  majo- 
rity of  the  board  of  trustees;  but  when  special  meetings 
are  called,  the  time  and  place  of  meeting,  and  the  sub- 
jects proposed  to  be  considered,  shall  be  previously  no- 
tified to  the  members;  and  no  other  subject  shall  be 
discussed  or  acted  upon  at  such  meeting  unless  there 
be  at  least  twelve  members  present.  To  the  board  of 
trustees  shall  be  committed  the  care  of  the  society^'s 
funds,  and  the  transaction  of  its  entire  business.  They 
shall  have  power,  according  to  their  discretion,  and  as 
the  funds  will  allow,  to  distribute  copies  of  the  Bible, 
the  book  of  Common  Prayer,  useful  religious  tracts^ 
and  other  works  of  approved  reputation;  to  send  forth, 
under  the  sanction  and  direction  of  the  ecclesiastical 
authority  of  the  diocese,  missionaries  to  those  places 
within  this  state,  where  there  is  ground  for  the  expecta- 
tion that  their  labours  will  be  useful  in  spreading  the 
truths,  and  promoting  the  practice  of  the  holy  morality 
of  the  gospel — to  take  by  the  hand  youths  of  genius 
and  piety,  who  need  the  fostering  aid  of  benevolence, 
and  are  meet  to  be  trained  up  for  the  ministry  of  the 
church,  and  see  that  they  be  properly  educated:  and  in 
general  to  adopt  and  execute  such  measures,  as  in  their 
best  judgment  they  shall  deem  good  and  practicable  for 
the  accomplishment  of  the  purposes  of  the  society. 


22 

ARTICLE  VII. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  trustees,  at  every 
anniversary,  to  lay  before  the  society  a  report  of  their 
proceedings  during  the  preceding  year;  to  exhibit  a  full 
and  accurate  vicM'  of  the  state  of  the  society's  funds, 
and  other  property;  and  to  inform  them  of  any  matters 
relative  to  the  objects  of  the  society,  which  may  be  in- 
teresting to  its  members.  A  copy  of  their  proceedings 
shall  be  annually  sent  to  the  secretary  of  the  council  of 
advice,  in  order  to  give  opportunity  for  any  opinions  or 
remarks  of  the  bishop,  or  of  that  council,  or  of  the  state 
convention,  to  whose  inspection  they  shall  be  always 
open. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

The  members  of  the  society,  resident  within  any 
county  or  town  in  this  state,  other  than  Philadelphia, 
may  form  themselves  into  corresponding  societies,  to 
communicate  with  the  parent  society;  and  as  a  part  of 
it,  and  under  its  direction,  to  aid  in  promoting  the  ge- 
neral object. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

This  society  being  intended  to  assist,  but  not  in  any 
degree  to  interfere  with,  or  intrench  upon  the  establish- 
ed authority  of  the  church,  in  promoting  her  interests 
and  advancement  in  Pennsylvania,  it  is  hereby  declared, 
thcit  in  V:  ha  lever  shall  be  done,  that  authority  shall  be 
recognized  and  conformed  to. 

ARTICLE  X. 

The  constitution  shall  not  be  altered,  unless  it  be  at 
an  annual  meeting,  with  the  consent  of  two  thirds  of  the 
members  then  present,  and  in  the  niofie  prescribed  by 
law;  and  the  object  of  the  society  shall  never  be  changed. 


23 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Society,  held  at  St.  James's  Church, 
on  Wednesday,  the  6th  of  January,  J  813,  the  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected  for  the  present  year: 


Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D   President. 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  "^ 

Chief  Justice  William  Tilghman,    V  Vice-Presidents. 

William  Meredith,  Esq.  J 

John  Perot,  Treasurer. 

Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Charles  N.  Bancker,  Recording  Secretary. 

TRUSTEES. 
Rev.  John  Andrews,  D.  D.  Paul  Beck,  junr. 

Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.      Thomas  H  vie, 
Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D.       Thomas  W.  Francis, 
James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  Edward  Penington, 


Joseph  Turner, 
James  Wilibank, 

Hon.  James  Milnor, 

Caleb  P.  Wayne, 

John  C.  Stocker,  junr. 

Thomas  Cumpston, 

P.  F.  Glentworth,  M.  D. 

William  Murdock, 

Richard  North, 


James  S.  Smith, 
John  B.  Wallace, 
Richard  Peters,  junr. 
John  Claxton, 
Levi  HoUingsworth, 
Richard  Dale, 
John  Inskeep, 
Ephraim  Clark, 
John  Robbins. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCEIBERS. 


LIFE 
Thomas  Armat, 
Richard  Bailey, 
Paul  Beck,  junr. 
Thomas  Burke, 
William  Challoner, 
Joseph  Clark, 
William  Davidson, 
Jane  Duche, 
Thomas  W.  Francis, 
Edward  Gray, 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

Thomas  M'Euen, 
Hon.  James  Milnor, 
J   John  Myers, 
Lewis  Neill, 
Benjamin  Rush,  M.  D. 
James  Stokes, 
Bankson  Taylor, 
C.  Justice  William  Tilghman, 
Peter  Van  Pelt, 
X  John  B.  Wallace. 


'-^t_-*^</»    A-^tiJLy^ 


(r 


24 


ANNUAL 
Rev.  James  Abererombie,  D. 
William  Adams, 
Samuel  Anderson, 
Rev.  John  Andrews,  D.  D. 
Rev.  John  Armstrong, 
Michael  W.  Ash, 
John  Ashburner» 
John  Ashburner,  junr. 

Sarah  Baird, 

William  J   Baker, 

Charles  N.  Bancker, 

Charles  Barrington, 

Richard  Barrington^ 

B.  S.  Barton, 

Esther  Barton, 

William  Bethell, 

William  I.  Bell, 

William  S.  Biddle, 

Charles  Biddle, 

Charles  Biddle,  junr. 

Thomas  Biggs, 

Horace  Binney, 

Mary  Binncy, 

John  Bioren, 

Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D, 

Edward  Bowlby, 

Samuel  F.  Bradford, 

George  Bringhurst, 

Sarah  Browne, 

Rev.  Levi  Bull, 

Sarah  Bunner, 

Edward  Burd. 

Charles  Caldwell, 
Joseph  Carson, 
Catherine  Chew, 
Benjamin  Chew, 
Elizabeth  Chew, 
Mary  Clapier, 


SUBSCRIBERS. 

D.  Jacob  Clark, 
Ellis  Ciark, 
Benjamin  Clark, 
Catharine  Clark, 
Ephraim  Clark, 
John  Claxton, 
Curtis  Clay, 
Jacob  Clement, 
Jacob  Clement,  junr. 
Joseph  Cooper, 
Collin  Cooper, 
Thomas  Cooper, 
John  Coulter, 
Israel  Coulter, 
Esther  Cox, 
John  R.  Coxe,  M.  D. 
Jane  Craig, 
Thomas  Cumpston, 
William  Currie, 
John  Curtis. 

Richard  Dale, 
Hugh  De  Haven, 
Peter  De  Haven,  junr. 
Hugh  De  Haven,  junr. 
Peter  De  Haven, 
John  Delaveau, 
Phebe  Dickinson, 
Mary  Donaldson, 
J.  M.  Douglass, 
James  H.  Dundas, 
John  Du  Puy. 

James  Eccles, 
John  Elliott, 
Lewis  Ellmaker, 
Elisha  N.  English, 
Issachar  Evans, 
Robert  T.  Evans, 
Manuel  Eyre.  r 


25 


Thomas  Fenton, 
Robert  Fielding, 
Mary  Fisher, 
Samuel  I.  Fisher, 
Elizabeth  P.  Fisher, 
Willing  Francis, 
John  Francis, 
Thomas  Francis, 
George  Harrison  Francis, 
Charles  Francis,  junr. 

James  Gamble, 

Richard  George, 

James  Gibson, 

John  Gibson, 

P.  F.  Glentworth,  M.  D. 

Robert  E.  Griffith, 

Francis  Gurney, 

Thomas  Hale, 
Jacob  Hall, 
David  Hall, 
Margaret  Hamilton, 
Andrew  Hamilton, 
James  Hamilton, 
Charles  W.  Hare, 
John  Harland, 
Jane  Htirland, 
George  Harrison,  .      , ,  ^ 
Henry  Harrison,  j/jm^  ./. 
Henry  Hawkins, 
Samuel  Hazlehurst, 
Stephen  Henderson," 
Bernard  Henry, 
Robert  Heysham, 
Henry  HoUingswofth, 
Levi  Hollini^sworth, 
f  I.  C.  Hommunn, 
Hannah  Hood, 
Joseph  Hopkinsonj 
Joseph  Huddeli,  ■ 

D 


Joseph  Huddeli,  junr. 
Samuel  Humphreys, 
James  Y.  Humphreys, 
John  Hunt, 
Rev.  Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D. 

Catharine  Ingles, 
John  Inskeep, 
Isaac  Jones, 
Thomas  Jones, 
Joseph  Jones, 
Alphonso  C.  Ireland, 

John  Keene, 
Samuel  Keith, 
Rev.  Jackson  Kemper, 
Henry  H.  Kennedy, 
Walter  Kerr, 
James  King, 
James  P.  Kingston, 
William  Kirkham, 
Daniel  Knight, 

Knight, 

Henry  Kuhl, 

Daniel  Lammot, 
Rebecca  Leaming^ 
Thomas  F.  Learning, 
John  Lohra, 
Peter  Lohra, 
Sampson  Levy. 

Margaret  M'Call. 

Judith  M'Call,  • .; 

Margaret  M'Call, 

George  vV.  M'Coy, 

William  M^Kenzie,^.^    ;     .    ..^^ 

John  INlarkland,   ^;.   .j./i  r,,;  ..|^jn 

James  Moyes, 

John  Markoe, 

James  Matthews, 

John  Massey, 


26 


Edward  Meade, 
William  Meredith, 
Ann  Meredith, 
Mary  Miercken, 
Benjamin  Mifflin, 
Alexander  Milier, 
Juliana  Miller, 
John  Millei ,  jun. 
Richard  Milne, 
William  Milnor,  jun. 
Austin  Montgojuery, 
James  Monti;:omery, 
Frederick  Montrnollinj 
Thomas  Moore,  jun. 
Marmaduke  Moore, 
John  W.  Morrell, 
Robert  Morrell, 
Anna  Morris, 
Benjamin  Morris, 
Mary  Muhlenberg, 
William  Murdock, 
Alexander  Murray, 
James  Musgrave. 

Joseph  Norman, 
Richard  North, 
Stephen  North. 

George  Oakley. 


John  B.  Palmer, 

John  Parham, 

Edward  Penington, 

Margaret  Pepper, 

John  Perot, 

James  Perot, 

Edward  Perot, 

Richard  Peters,  jun. 

William  Phillips, 

Rebecca  Phillips, 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.D. 


Richard  C.  Potter, 
John  Poulson, 
Charles  A.  Poulson,  ^ 
Elizabeth  Powel, 

JoiiM  H,  Powel,     i .  i  fijju.-i^i;:; 

Henry  Pratt,  ■'■^nvrl  liuX'lI 
Samuel  Price,  I 

John  M.  Price.  :T 

■  -J 
Condy  Raguet,  'J 

Robert  Ralston, 

Sarah  Ralston,  .aJdmsO  somvil 
William  Read,  ^looO  hu:fi:)iil 
Geortje  iieinholdt^  '  -^  fsnrrul 
Ann  Ritchie,  <  ado\ 

John  Robbins,  •  /'i  .T: 

Samuel  I.  Robbins,  ''oJT 

Thomas  Roberts, :  c 

James  Robertson, 
Samuel  Robinson. 

cloorX 
James  Sawer,  '■  '■■ 

William  Schlatter, 
Henry  S.  Sheaff, 
John  D.  Sheaff,  ■  y.n.J. 

John  B.  Simmons,  ,  ..iO 

George  Simpson,  tj.lol 

H.  Simpson.  oii/;L 

doJ.  r.fk^'j,  s.  Skerrett.  (-iO 

-E.  and  A.  Smart, 
The  Miss  Smiths, 
William  Smith,     jJs-'>H  huatr^P. 
Richard  Smith,     'broil  no.'-  o:h: 
Daniel  Smith,       .'n-Il  !        -JT 
Frans.  G.  Smiih^ 
Dockeray  Smith, 
James  S.  Smith, 
George  Summers, 
Crooke  Stevenson, 
John  C.  Stocker, 
Margaret  Stocker, 


27 


Anthony  Stocker, 
John  C.  Stocker,  jun. 
John  Stoddart, 

Joseph  Tagert, 
Benjamin  Tanner, 
Mary  Ann  Thomas, 
George  Thompson, 
Edward  Thomson, 
Rebecca  Trenchard, 
Rev.  Joseph  Turner, 
John  Turner, 
Joseph  M.  Turner, 
Edward  Twells, 
Sarah  Twells, 
Godfrey  Twells. 

John  Vallance, 

■  Verchaux, 
Thomas  Vizer. 

J.  G.  Wachsmuth, 


H.  L.  Waddell, 

Francis  Wade, 

Joshua  M.  Wallace,  jun. 

David  Ware, 

Caleb  P.  Wayne, 

John  Wharton, 

Charles  Wheeler, 

John  Wiieeier, 

Samuel  Wliceler, 

Rt.  Kev.  William  White,  D.  D. 

Thos.  H    White, 

Jacob  C.  Wikoff, 

James  Williams, 

Thomas  M.  Willing, 

Thomas  Willing, 

Eliza  Willing, 

George  Willing, 

Robert  B.  Willing, 

Rev.  James  Wiltbank, 

Christian  Wiltberger, 

Thomas  Wood, 

Joseph  Worrell. 


THE  SECOND  REPORT 


OF  THE 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

OF  THE 

SOCIETY  OF  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

FOR  THE 

ADVANCEMENT  OF  CHRISTIANITY 
IN  PENNSYLVANIA. 

MADE  AT  THE 

ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE  SOCIETY, 

JANUARY  6,  1814. 


,  PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  SOCIETY, 

By  James  Maxwell. 

1814. 


SECOND  REPORT 


OP 


THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 


The  Board  of  Trustees  in  laying  before  the  society  a  report 
of  their  proceedings  during  the  year  1813,  have  the  satisfaction  of 
announcing  that  the  beneficial  effects  of  this  institution  begin  al- 
ready to  be  realized,  while  new  and  extensive  prospects  of  useful- 
ness are  daily  opening  before  them. 

It  was  mentioned  in  the  last  report  that  some  copies  of  the 
book  of  common  prayer  had  been  obtained,  and  that  arrangements 
had  been  made  for  the  circulation  of  religious  tracts.  Great  at- 
tention has  been  paid  to  these  two  important  subjects.  Five  hun- 
dred and  seventy-six  prayer  books,  and  one  thousand  two  hundred 
and  ninety -two  tracts  have  already  been  distributed  throughout  the 
vai'ious  parts  of  the  statej  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
the  demand  for  them  will  continue  to  increase.  The  prayer  books 
were  purchased  at  various  times,  at  public  and  private  sale,  at  an 
average  price  of  about  fifty  cents  each.  Some  of  them  were  be- 
stowed upon  woi'thy  members  of  the  church,  but  the  greater  part 
have  been  disposed  of  at  first  cost  among  the  congregations  scat- 
tered through  this  diocese.  By  adopting  this  plan  it  is  calculated 
that  farther  drafts  on  the  funds  of  the  society,  than  have  already 
been  made  for  this  purpose,  will  not  be  required  for  a  considera- 
ble time;  because  the  proceeds  of  the  sales,  being  applied  to  the 
same  object,  will  enable  the  Trustees  to  keep  a  considerable  number 
•>n  liand. 

Messrs.  Bradford  and  Inskeep  have  promoted  the  general  in- 
terests of  Christianity,  v/hile  they  very  generously  enabled  the  Trus- 
tees to  dispose  of  a  number  of  very  valuable  tracts.  Conceiving 
that  the  present  state  of  the  funds  did  not  authorise  the  publisi;ing 
<if  whole  editions,  application  v/as  rnadc  to  those  gentlemen  who 


4 

immediately  promised  to  issue  from  the  press  one  thousand  «o- 
pies  of  each  of  the  tracts  which  the  Trustees  were  desirous  of  ha- 
\'ing  printed;  three  hundred  of  which  were  to  be  at  the  disposal 
of  the  society  at  first  cost.  By  this  means  we  have  been  enabled 
to  distribute  tracts  upon  the  following  subjects;  viz.  On  Baptismal 
and  Spiritual  Regeneration;  On  St.  Paul's  Opinion  of  Jesus  Chi'ist; 
On  The  Holy  Communion,  and  On  The  Obsei-vance  of  Good- 
Friday — with  Directions  for  Public  Worship,  Pastoral  Advice 
before  Confirmation,  and  Pastoral  Advice  after  Confirmation.  In 
addition  to  these  some  copies  of  Bishop  Hobart's  Companion 
to  the  Prayer  Book,  and  of  Nelson  on  Confirmation,  have  likewise 
been  distributed. 

Did  the  labours  of  the  Trustees  end  here,  they  would  enjoy 
the  consoling  reflection  that  their  excitions  have  been  in  a  consi- 
derable degree  useful.  While  Episcopalians  cordially  unite  with 
other  Christians  in  giving  the  Holy  Scriptures  to  all  those  who  can 
appreciate  their  inestimable  value,  they  ought  certainly  to  endea- 
vour that  none  of  their  members  should  be  unsupplied  with  that 
prayer  book  which  contains  all  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the 
sacred  volume  beautifully  systematized,  and  which  has  most  em- 
phatically, and  most  justly  been  stiled  the  daughter  of  the  Bible. 
Where  is  there  a  production  in  which  is  to  be  found  so  little  of  hu- 
man infirmity?  Where  is  there  such  fervent,  such  holy  devotion, 
as  is  contained  in  its  inimitable  liturgy?  While  distributing  this 
blessed  book  we  stand  on  holy  ground.  We  connect  ourselves 
with  the  noble  army  of  reformers,  who,  not  in  a  few  instances  seal- 
ed Avith  their  blood  its  invaluable  truths.  If  the  Episcopal  church 
exhibits  the  purest  model  of  Christianity,  if  it  has  always  been  con- 
sidered as  the  pillar  of  the  Protestant  faith,  it  is  undouljtedly  owing 
to  that  admirable  form  of  sound  words  which  is  inferior  only  to  the 
Bible  itself.  To  those  members  of  our  communion  who  would 
deny  the  Lord  that  bought  them,  to  those  who  would  substitute 
mere  morality  for  vital  godliness  or  fanaticism  for  true  religion, 
the  prayer  book  proclaims  from  its  illuminated  pages,  this  is  the 
way,  walk  ye  in  it,  turn  neither  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left. 
The  Trustees  therefore  conceive  that  the  cause  of  Christianity  is 
essentially  promoted  by  their  endeavours  to  place  the  prayer  book 
iuthe  hands  of  every  Episcopalian. — The  tracts  were  selected 


with  great  care.  They  are  intended  to  cherish  those  true  evange- 
lical principles  of  faith  and  holiness  which  are  so  forcibly  incul-- 
catedin  the  Articles  and  Homilies  of  the  church. 

But  the  labours  of  the  Trustees  have  not  ceased  here.  Appli- 
cation was  made  to  the  rev.  Jehu  Curtis  Clay  immediately  after 
his  ordination  in  June  last,  and  he  readily  consented  to  visit  the 
destitute  congregations  and  vicinities  throughout  the  state.  The 
Trustees  have  received  from  Mr.  Clay  a  very  full  and  satisfactory 
report  of  his  labours,  and  are  persuaded  that  his  missionary  tour 
has  been  attended  with  the  happiest  results. 

The  Board  having  received  information  that  the  rev.  Mr.  Tay- 
lor, Rector  of  Trinity  church,  Pittsburg,  would  gladly  visit  a  num- 
ber of  places  in  the  north-western  part  of  this  state  where  there 
are  a  few  Episcopalians,  if  his  church  could  in  the  mean  time  be 
supplied;  Mr.  Clay  was  requested,  in  case  he  found  it  not  incom- 
patible with  the  other  objects  of  his  mission,  to  spend  three  Sun-- 
days  at  Pittsburg.  This  plan  was  happily  effected;  and  a  short, 
but  interesting  report  has  likewise  been  received  from  Mr.  Tay- 
lor.    Both  these  reports  will  be  laid  before  the  society.* 

Those  members  of  our  Religious  Communion  who  have  panted 
for  the  service  of  the  sanctuary,  and  who  began  to  despair  of  ever 
being  able  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  faith  and  Avorship  of 
their  forefathers,  are  now  revived;  they  feel  convinced  of  the  bene- 
volent views  of  the  society;  and  relying  upon  our  assistance  in  ena- 
bling them  to  obtain  clergymen;  it  is  sanguinely  expected  that  in 
a  short  time  they  will  collect  themselves  into  congregations  and 
begin  to  build  churches.  And  will  the  society  suffer  the  flame 
that  has  now  been  kindled  to  die  away?  We  are  confident  that 
they  will  not.  The  prayers,  the  alms  of  the  pious  will  not  surely 
be  withheld,  when  there  exists  a  probability  that  this  institution, 
blest  by  the  great  head  of  the  church,  will  be  the  means  of  causing 
many  parts  of  the  wilderness  to  blossom  as  the  rose. 

Constant  employment  could  at  the  present  time  be  given  to 
three  or  more  missionaries.  But  where  can  they  be  obtained?  Or, 
if  their  services  could  be  procured  will  our  funds  authorise  us  to 

*  For  the  information  of  those  members  who  were  not  present  at  the  an- 
nual meeting  of  the  society,  extracts  from  these  reports  are  subjoined,  see 
:ippendix. 


6 

devote  so  great  a  portion  of  them  as  would  then  be  required  to  ac- 
complish one  object,  when  so  many  important  subjects  claim  our 
attention?  While  the  dearth  of  clergymen  convinces  us  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  a  Theological  Seminary,  the  paucity  of  our  means,  con- 
nected with  the  interesting  designs  we  have  in  view,  calls  loudly 
upon  every  member  of  the  society  to  use  all  his  endeavours  to  in- 
crease our  funds. 

The  Trustees  have  been  rejoiced  to  hear  that  the  number  of 
candidates  for  the  ministry  have  considerably  increased  through- 
out the  United  States  during  the  two  last  years.  In  one  instance 
we  have  afforded  some  trifling  assistance.  liut  as  yet  there  ex- 
ists no  rallying  point  for  students.  There  is  no  Theological  pro- 
fessor for  our  church  in  America. — In  our  last  report  mention 
was  made  of  the  library  in  St.  James's  church.  The  permission 
there  stated  to  have  been  solicited  has  been  granted;  and  rules  and 
regulations  have  been  agreed  upon  by  the  vestry  and  Trustees 
concerning  the  use  of  the  books.  We  regret  however  to  say  that 
no  addition  has  yet  been  made  to  that  valuable  collection.  It 
therefore  will  continue  in  a  great  measure  useless  to  candidates 
for  the  ministry  until  those  works  are  added  which  the  House  of 
Bishops  require  students  to  read  previous  to  their  examinations. 
The  future  existence  of  our  church  will  greatly  depend  upon  the 
attention  which  the  present  generation  may  give  to  the  design  our 
constitution  expresses  of  "  taking  by  the  hand  youths  of  genius 
and  piety,  who  need  the  fostering  aid  of  benevolence,  and  are  meet 
to  be  trained  up  for  the  ministry."  The  Board  are  deeply  anx- 
ious to  interest  the  best  affections  of  their  fellow-members  in  this 
important  object;  and  they  earnestly  hope  that  their  successors  in 
office  will  use  every  endeavour  to  render  the  access  to  the  ministry 
of  reconciliation  much  easier  than  it  has  ever  yet  been  to  those  who 
with  proper  motives  and  suitable  qualifications  are  willing  to  be- 
come labourers  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ. 

The  Episcopalians  of  Germantown  having  used  great  exertions 
to  obtain  a  regularly  ordained  clergyman  to  settle  among  therr\, 
your  Board  felt  themselves  justified  in  presenting  one  hundred 
dollars  to  that  small  but  zealous  congregation,  upon  condition  that 
their  pastor  should  at  certain  intervals  visit  some  of  the  neighbour- 
ing destitute  churches.     This  congregation  was  happy  enough  to 


obtain  the  labours  of  the  rev.  John  Ward  for  several  months.  The 
piety,  the  amiableness  and  the  talents  of  Mr.  Ward  promised  to 
effect  all  that  could  possibly  have  been  anticipated  by  tlie  most 
sanguine.  Called  to  a  more  important  and  arduous  station  in  his 
master's  vineyard,  he  has  carried  with  him  the  fervent  prayers 
and  best  wishes  of  all  who  knew  him.  His  remembrance  is  che- 
rished with  the  fondest  affection  by  the  little  flock  he  has  left;  and 
"Vve  trust  that  they  will  prove  by  their  future  exertions  that  he  did 
not  labour  among  them  in  vain. 

The  statement  of  the  Treasurer  and  a  summary  of  his  accounts 
■will  accompany  this  report.  Since  the  last  anniversary,  it  appears 
that  there  have  been  added  to  the  society  five  life,  and  twenty-six 
annual  subscribers. 

A  charter  has  been  obtained;  whereby,  the  usual  rights  and 
privileges  of  incorporated  bodies  have  been  secured  to  the  society. 

Several  intei-esting  subjects  have  been  brought  before  the  view 
of  the  Trustees,  upon  which  they  have  not  as  yet  been  enabled  con- 
clusively to  act.  It  is  therefore  supposed  unnecessary  that  any 
mention  should  be  made  of  them  in  this  report. 

In  reviewing  the  transactions  of  the  past  year,  the  Trustees 
feel  the  most  lively  gratitude  to  the  author  of  every  good  and  per- 
fect gift.  When  they  recollect  the  deep  interest  which  Christians 
of  all  denominations  appear  at  the  present  time  to  take  in  the  con- 
cerns of  the  everlasting  Gospel,  and  the  exertions  they  are  daily 
making  in  order  to  hasten  the  happy  time  when  the  earth  shall 
be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea; 
they  are  confident  that  the  Episcopalians  of  this  state  will  not  be 
backward  in  enabling  the  destitute  members  of  their  communion 
to  participate  in  the  same  exalted  privileges  which  they  enjoy, 
of  worshipping  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness,  according  to 
the  form  and  manner  of  our  truly  apostolical  church.  When  the 
objects  for  which  we  associated  are  considered,  it  appears  no  more 
than  a  reasonable  hope  that  the  society  may  establish  itself  in  the 
hearts  and  affections,  and  engage  the  zealous  assistance  of  all  who 
desire  the  prosperity  of  our  Zion.  If  we  enjoy  the  Christian  reli- 
gion in  its  purest  illumination  and  most  perfect  form;  how  power- 
fully are  we  required  to  exert  ourselves  in  opening  every  dark  cor- 
ner at  home  to  the  light — in  making  known  as  extensively  as  our 


8 

sphere  of  duty  will  admit  the  glory  of  Him,  in  whom  all  the  endb 
of  the  earth  shall  be  blessed.  Fully  relying  on  the  promises  and 
the  aid  of  the  glorious  Redeemer,  the  Trustees  conclude  with 
earnestly  soliciting  the  members  to  be  "  steadfast,  immovable-— al- 
ways abounding  in  this  work  of  the  Lord;  for  as  much  as  we  know 
that  our  labour  will  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

William  WhitE)  President. 
January  6th,  1814. 


APPENDIX. 


EXTRACTS  FROM 


MR.  CLAY'S  REPORT. 


"  On  the  eleventh  of  July,  I  preached  at  Somerset,  Somerse,t 
county.  The  church,  which  was  here  building  when  the  reverend 
Mr.  Kemper  visited  the  place,  is  not  yet  finished,  owing  to  the 
paucity  of  their  funds.     A  temporary  pulpit,  however,  was  erect- 
ed during  my  stay  there;  and  I  officiated  in  the  church  for  the  first- 
time.  Whether  this  congregation  Avill  ever  be  able  to  support  the 
permanent  services  of  a  minister,  is  very  doubtful  under  existing 
circumstances.     Their  numerical,  as  well  as  local  situation,  mili- 
tates against  the  idea;  for  their  number  is  but  small,  and  the  dis- 
tance of  Somerset  from  any  other  place  where  there  are  even  the 
rays  of  Episcopacy  excludes  the  hope  of  uniting  it  with  another 
church,  under  a  common  rector.     Were  a  clergyman,  however^ 
willing  to  take  charge  of  a  school,  in  order  to  facilitate  a  compe- 
tency, Somerset,  in  this  way,  could  afford  him  a  salary  of  between 
four  and  five  hundred  dollars.  It  seldom  happens  that  the  salaries 
of  ministers  of  other  denominations  are,  in  the  western  parts  of 
this  state,  larger  than  the  sum  just  mentioned.     Upon  an  income? 
»f  five  hundred  dollars,  a  ivestem  clergyman  can  generally  obtain 
a  comfortable  subsistence,  and  find  it  equivalent,  probably,  to  one 
of  a  thousand  dollars  in  a  large  and  populous  city. 

n 


10 

''  1  arrived  at  Brownsville  on  the  twentieth  of  July,  and  took  up  a 
residence  there  which  continued  for  six  weeks  after  its  commence- 
ment. The  Society  have  in  their  possession  documents  relative  to 
the  state  of  the  church  in  this  place.  I  only  need  observe  upoii  tais 
subject  that,  by  frequent  excursions  through  the  country  adjaceat 
to  the  town,  the  church  was  found  to  have  more  advocates  than 
was  by  any  person  supposed. 

"  In  conformity  with  a  requisition  of  my  instructions,  I,  at  a  ve- 
ry early  peri9d,  suggested  to  the  Episcopalians  of  Brownsville,  the 
practicability  of  erecting  a  church  upon  the  lot  of  ground  already 
in  their  possession.  In  this  idea  they  immediately  concurred  with 
great  alacrity,  and  on  the  twenty-seventh  met  to  debate  upon  tiie 
most  practicable  way  of  proceeding  in  this  business.  The  eight 
members  present  subscribed  five  hundred  dollars,  and  appointed 
two  persons  to  prosecute  the  matter  further.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that 
upon  my  leaving  Brownsville,  the  sum  of  twelve  hundred  dollars 
had  been  subscribed,  which  was  supposed,  by  competent  judges,  to 
be  nearly  adequate  to  the  building  of  a  church  that  should  contain 
from  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred  people.  Persons  who 
subscribed  very  liberally,  promised  to  advance  fifLy  per  cent,  more, 
if  the  sum  in  possession  should  be  inadequate  to  the  end  of  finish- 
ing the  church.  Materials  are  to  be  provided  this  fall,  and  the 
church  to  be  commenced  as  soon  as  the  weather  in  the  ensuing 
spring  will  pei'mit. 

"  August  eighth,  I  officiated  in  the  court-house  at  Uniontown. 
At  this  place  there  are  but  few  Episcopal  families,  and  no  place  of 
worship  for  any  denomination,  excepting  the  methodists.  The  few 
Episcopalians  with  whom  I  conversed  here,  are  extremely  desi- 
rous of  having  something  done  in  the  way  of  obtaining  a  place  of 
worship,  and  an  officiating  clergyman.  Indeed,  such  was  their 
enthusiasm  as  to  declare  to  me  the  practicability  of  raising  a  sala- 
ry for  the  support  of  a  minister  to  the  amount  of  a  thousand  dollars. 
This,  however,  by  the  united  exertions  of  the  latter  place,  Browns- 
ville, and  Connelsville. 

"  The  barrenness  of  report,  with  respect  to  the  production  of 
any  effects  by  a  visit  to  Uniontown,  had  almost  deterred  me  fron\ 
making  the  attempt.     But,  so  agreeably  disappointed  have  I  befin' 


11 

in  the  issue,  as  to  class  thi*  place  next  in  the  scale  of  importance 
with  Bro\msville,  among  the  places  in  the  vicinity  of  the  latter 
town.  I  now  think  that,  should  a  clergyman  be  procured  for 
Brownsville,  Uniontown  ought  to  claim  his  attention  as  next  in  im- 
portance. 

"  On  Thursday  evening  the  second  of  September,  I  preached 
at  Connelsville,  in  the  methodist  church.  In  this  place  and  neigh- 
bourhood are  several  respectable  and  wealthy  Episcopal  families 
who,  in  a  very  few  years,  through  the  exertions  of  a  clergyman 
characterised  by  talents  and  piety,  would  be  enabled,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  assistance  they  would  receive  from  persons  even  now 
well-disposed  towards  the  church,  to  erect  themselves  a  building 
for  public  worship.  A  considerable  spirit  to  this  effect  prevails 
among  them;  and  a  desire  exists  to  have  their  place  included 
among  those  where  a  clergyman,  stationed  at  Brownsville,  would  of 
ficiate.  Should  this  be  effected,  they  promise  to  raise  two  hundred 
dollars  towards  his  support.  This,  with  an  equal  contribution  at 
Uniontown,  and  one  of  four  hundred  dollars  at  Brownsville,  would 
constitute  a  competent  salary,  in  that  country,  for  almost  any  cler- 
gyman. This  calculation  is  sanctioned,  not  only  by  what  a  few  per- 
sons told  me  with  respect  to  the  raising  of  a  thousand  dollars  for 
the  support  of  a  minister,  but  by  the  declarations  of  many  as  to  the 
practicability  of  entering  into,  and  fulfilling  a  stipulation  of  this 
character,  and  to  this  amount. 

"  August  fifteenth,  officiated  at  what  goes  by  the  name  of 
West^s  church,  situated  in  Washington  county,  and  seven  miles 
from  Bro^vnsville.  The  Episcopalians  resident  in  this  neighbour- 
hood, appear  to  feel  the  want  of  a  clergyman,  and  promised  to  re- 
pair their  church  in  consideration  of  a  more  favourable  prospect. 
A  minister  officiating  at  Brownsville  in  the  morning,  might  very 
well  attend  here  in  the  afternoon;  and,  by  pursuing  a  similar  con- 
duct with  respect  to  other  places,  would  give  the  extent  to  his  la- 
bours demanded  by  local  exigencies,  without  too  much  diminish- 
ing from  that  frequency  of  worship  necessary  to  the  production  of 
a  spirit  of  piety  and  zeal. 

"  Preached  at  Greensburgh  on  the  nineteenth  of  September,  to 
a  very  large  but  promiscuous  congregation.     As  the  Society  have 


12 

before  them  infonuation  relative  to  the  state  of  iht  church  at  this 
place,  I  only  need  observe  that  its  welfare  might  be  promoted, 
were  a  clergyman  of  talents  and  piety,  livirig  in  the  country,  to  give 
it  his  occasional  attention.  It  is  Avith  pleasure  I  can  add,  that  the 
attention  and  unifoi'm  conduct  of  the  people  at  Greensburgh,  du- 
ring the  performance  of  Divine  Avorship,  were  exemplarHy  decent 
and  laudable.  The  same  observation  may  be  extended  to  almost 
every  place  I  have  visited,  and  preached  at. 

"  Revisited  Pittsburgh  on  the  twentieth  of  September,  and 
took  charge  of  the  church,  in  the  absence  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Taylor.  On  the  seventh  of  October  the  vestry  were  called  toge- 
ther, when  it  was  moved  and  resolved,  that  a  committee  of  three 
be  appointed  to  draught  an  address  to  the  Bishop,  and  Society,  in 
acknowledgment  of  the  exalted  idea  they  entertain  of  the  utility  of 
the  Institution;  and,  particularly,  as  its  operations  relate  to  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  in  the  western  parts  of  this 
state. 

"  It  is  unnecessary  to  dilate  in  remark  upon  the  subject  of  the 
church  at  Pittsburgh,  as  it  respects  its  state  and  condition,  the  of- 
ficial letter  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Taylor  being  in  the  hands  of  the 
Society.  With  respect  to  my  own  exertions  there,  I  may  be  per- 
mitted to  say,  that  large  congregations  were  collected,  and  a  dis- 
position created  to  promote,  to  an  extensive  degree,  the  interests 
of  the  church.  The  debt  with  which  the  church  had  been  embar- 
rassed from  the  time  of  its  erection,  and  which  has,  for  several 
years,  absorbed  the  greater  part  of  that  revenue  which  ought  to 
have  constituted  a  salary  for  the  officiating  minister,  has  lately  ob- 
tained the  more  than  ordinary  attention  of  the  vestry,  and  is  in  a 
fair  way  for  liquidation.  Nothing  is  wanting  but  a  uniform  spirit 
of  zeal  and  energy  to  render  Pittsburgh  as  much  the  advocate  of 
the  doctrines  of  our  most  Holy  Religion,  as  she  has  heretofore 
been  neglectful  of  them.  Without  such  zeal  it  is  vain  to  expect  a 
reformation;  and  with  it,  all  timigs  are  possible. 

«  On  the  seventeenth  of  October  I  officiated  in  the  court-house 
at  Huntingdon,  Huntingdon  county.  The  Reverend  Mr.  Clarkson 
had  left  the  place  just  before  my  arrival.  As  I  understood  it  to  be 
lus  intention  to  report  to  the  Society  the  circumstances  of  his  visit, 


IS 

I  shall  decline  a  itcital  of  the  many  interesting;  events  that  result- 
ed from  an  investif?;atiGn  into  the  character  and  condition  of  the 
church  at  this  place.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  after  an  interval  of 
twelve  or  thirteen  years,  during  which  an  Episcopal  clergyman 
Avas  never  recognised  among  them,  a  sudden  ebullition  of  transport 
was  produced  by  the  exertions  of  Mr.  Clarkson,  and  a  disposition 
resuscitated  to  use  every  exertion  that  may  conduce  to  the  penna- 
nent  establishment  of  Episcopacy  in  this  vicinity. 

"  In  the  conclusion  of  this  report,  it  may  be  proper  to  remarli, 
that  the  alacrity  every  where  shown  to  cooperate  with  the  Society 
in  their  endeavours  to  extend  the  boundaries  of  oiu'  Zion,  must  fill 
the  breast  of  every  person  with  emotions  of  joy,  and  sanctions  the 
belief  that  exertions  thus  directed  will  not  be  fruitless,  but  be  suc- 
ceeded by  a  rich  and  abundant  harvest.  Let  the  Society  only  con- 
tinue their  exertions,  and,  with  a  view  to  the  permanent  establish- 
ment of  our  Religion  upon  the  western  borders  of  the  state,  direct 
•their  attention  more  particularly  to  a  few  places  where  there  is  the 
greatest  auspiciousness  of  prospect,  and,  in  a  few  years,  such  ra- 
mifications will  take  place  from  those  establishments  as  shall  dif- 
fuse Episcopacy  to  an  extent  not  limited,  probably,  short  of  the 
shores  of  the  Mississippi.  By  these  means  it  has  been  that  other 
Societies  have  triumphed  over  obstacles  similar  to  those  with 
v/hich  we  have  to  contend;  and,  by  an  imperfect  trial,  their  efficacy 
is  already  manifested  in  the  improved  situation  of  our  church  at 
Brownsville,  to  which  the  Society  have  given  a  more  than  ordi- 
nary attention.  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  a  clergyman,  of  ap- 
proved character,  stationed  at  Brownsville,  would,  in  a  very  short 
time,  diffuse  a  zeal  over  the  whole  adjacent  country,  and  warm 
\vith  the  rays  of  Episcopacy  regions  more  remote.  To  this  happy 
result,  a  happier,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  would  shortly  succeed,  and 
without  which  the  former  is  of  no  account' — a  result  that  should 
consist  in  a  relinquishment  of  sin,  and  in  a  firactical  adhereftcc  to 
the  doctrines  of  our  most  Holy  Faith 


14 

Extracts  of  a  letter  from  the  Reverend  John  Taylor  to  the  Corres- 
ponding Secretary. 

"  Pittsburgh,  December  27,  1813. 
"  I  arrived  at  Pittsburgh  after  a  tour  of  six  weeks;  during  which 
I  found  that  there  is  much  need  and  a  great  call  for  Preachers  of 
the  Gospel,  in  many  places  of  the  western  country,  beyond  the 
river  Alleghany.  The  people  bear  the  expenses  cheerfully,  and 
do  their  best  to  render  the  condition  of  a  clergyman  as  comfort- 
able as  possible,  in  their  little  cabins.  There  are  three  places,  the 
inhabitants  of  which  most  fervently  pray  for  a  missionary  of  our 
church  to  be  sent  among  them,  twice  in  the  year;  April  and  Sep- 
tember would  be  the  most  convenient,  on  account  of  the  roads:  viz. 
Witherop's  mill,  in  Butler  county;  Franklin,  in  Venango  county; 
and  Butlertown;  all  in  this  state.  Each  of  these  have  at  least  from 
twelve  to  twenty  families. 

"  In  the  state  of  Ohio,  Trumbull  county,  adjoining  the  Pennsyl- 
vania line,  are  four  towns,  which  have  the  prospect  of  being  able 
to  support  a  clergyman  comfortably,  viz.  Boardman,  Campfield, 
Youngstown,  and  Poland.  They  are  a  very  intelligent,  orderly 
people,  all  generally  emigrants  from  old  Connecticut.  They  ne- 
ver neglect  meeting  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  the  service  is  read  by 
one  of  their  own  society.  They  have  laid  out  an  eight  acre  lot  in 
a  central  situation,  as  a  parsonage  or  glebe,  on  which  they  propose 
to  build  a  house  for  the  use  of  their  minister.  They  have  it  also  in 
contemplation  to  lay  out  a  farm,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
parsonage,  for  the  same  purpose.  All  this  was  contemplated  in 
the  original  purchase,  and  reserved  seven  or  eight  years  since. 
This  information  I  received  from  several  of  the  inhabitants,  parti- 
cularly a  Mr.  Joseph  Piatt,  of  Boardman  township,  who,  in  the 
name  and  at  the  request  of  the  society,  came  to  me  and  desired 
that  I  would  have  their  wishes  made  known  to  the  Society  in  Phila- 
delphia, that  they  may  have  a  minister  sent  to  them.  If  a  young 
man  of  learning  and  piety  will  voluntarily  undertake  the  toil  of  a 
visit  to  their  settlement,  he  will  be  received  with  the  warmest  cor- 
diality, and  probably  find  a  settlement  for  life,  both  comfortable  and 
agreeable.  I  was  not  able  to  reach  the  settlement  of  Cayahoga, 
owihg  to  the  exti'eme  badness  of  the  roads,  and  to  the  lameness 


15 

oimy  horse.     I  wrote  therefore  to  Mr.  Shepherd,  stating  my  apo- 
logy, with  a  renewal  of  my  promise  at  a  more  convenient  seasort 
"  Yours,  most  affectionately,  in  Christ, 

"  John  TayLor. 
"  Reverend  Jackson  Kemfier." 


16 


Dr.     The  Society  of  the  Proleslunt  Episcopal  Church  for  the  udvaneemeat 


1813. 
Jan.  15. 


April  12. 

20. 

24. 
July  15. 
Nov.  13. 
Dec.  10. 

14. 


To  cash  paid  Richard  Hill  Morris,  for  three 
shares  Philadelpliia  and  Lancaster  Turnpike 
Stock,  a  110  per  cent.,  -  -  - 

Brokerage,  a  1-4  per  cent., 


2  47 


To  do.  paid  Bisliop  White,  being  so  much  paid  by  him 
for  a  friend  as  an  annual  subscriber,  who  became  a  life 
subscriber,  -  - 

To  do.  paid  William  Montgomery  for  two  shares  Plii- 
ladelphiaand  Lancaster  Turnpike  Stock,  a  112per  cent.. 

To  do.  paid  C.  P.  Wayne  and  William  Murdock  for  use 
of  the  church  in  Germantown, 

To  do.  paid  C.  P.  Wayne,  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
Prayer  Rooks,  .  .  .  .  - 

To  do.  paid  the  Reverend  Joseph  Pilmore,  towards  the  aid 
of  a  Tlicological  Student,  ... 

To  do.  paid  M'Euen,  Hale  &.  Davidson,  for  three  shares  of 
Prankford  and  Bristol  Turnpike  Stock,  a  113  per  cent.. 

To  do.  paid  Reverend  Jackson  Kemper,  for  William 
White  president's  order  on  me,  in  favour  of  J.  B.  Wal- 
lace, chairman  of  the  committee  of  Mission's, 

To  do.  paid  Jolui  B.  Wallace,  being  amount  of  expenses 
attending  the  obtaining  a  charter. 


S    992 


PERMANENT  FUND. 

10  sliares  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster 

Turnpike  Stock, 
3      do.      Frankford  and  Bristol 
Turnpike  Stock, 

Philadelphia,  27th  December,  1815. 


} 


Cost  ^3,593  47 


47 


500 
672 
100 


00 
100 


200 
100 


33900 


300 
21 


S2,729]47 


of  Chrietiatdty  in  Pennsylvania,  in  account  -ivith  John  Perot,  Treasurer.       Cr. 


1812. 
Dec.  26.  By  balance  per  account  rendered  this  day, 

1813. 
Jan.  7.  By  a  collection  made  in  Christ  Church  on  the  evening 

of  the  6th  instant,  for  the  use  of  the  Society,         §522  05 
By  this  sum  received  of  Paul  Beck,  jun.  as  his  donation,  10  00 


IS. 


8.  By  do.  handed  through  the  Reverend  Jackson  Kemper,  as  a 

donation,  - •        - 

12.  By  do.  received  of  William  Meredith  and  P.  F.  Glentworth, 
a   committee  appointed  to   engage  a  Missionary,  being 
balance  in  their  hands,  per  account  dated  6th  instant, 
Feb.  4.  By  dividend  on  five  shares  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  Turn- 
pike Stock,  due  22d  ult.  at  §9  per  share, 
Aug.  31.  By  do.  on   ten   shares   of  ditto,  due  23d   ult.  at  §9  per 

share,         -  - 

Novj  8.  By  this  sum  received  of  William  Meredith,  one  of  a  com- 
mittee, being  net  proceeds  of  a  sulkey  and  harness, 
sold  per  account  of  this  date,  ... 

Dec.  4.  By  the  following  sums  received  from  the  Reverend  James 
Wiltbank,  for  the  use  of  the  Society — viz. 

A  collection  made  in  Trinity  Church,  Oxford,    JS16  74 
A  do.  in  All  Saints  Church,  10  56 

27.  By  the  following  monies  received  on  account  of  the  Society, 

per  list  of  particulars  accompanying  this  account — viz. 

6  Life  Subscriptions,  a  §50      -        -        -        -  g  300 

Yearly        do.         -        -        -        -        -  1,080 

Donations,        -  -  ...  109 


589 


00 


Balance  due  John  Perot,  treasurer. 


Total, 


532  05 
OO 


32 


00 


1,489  00 


61 


45  00 
00 


82,651 

77 


jS2,7294r 


SAVE  ERBOaS. 


JoHM  Perot,  Treasure)'. 


18 


We  the  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  accounts  of  John 
Perot,  Treasurer  to  the  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
for  the  advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania,  do  certify, 
that  we  have  examined  the  same,  and  find  them  correct — that 
they  correspond  w^ith  the  accounts  kept  in  the  books  of  the  Insti- 
tution—that the  payments  are  supported  by  their  proper  vouchers; 
and  that  there  is  a  balance  of  seventy-seven  dollars  and  fifty-one 
cents  due  the  said  John  Perot  from  the  Institution.  We  have  also 
examined  the  bank  book,  and  find  that  all  monies  received  by  him 
have  been  duly  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania  in  his  name 
as  Treasurer,  and  drawn  out  only  for  the  use  of  the  same. 

C.  P.  Wayne. 

Thomas  Hale. 

Philadelphia,  27  th  December,  1313. 


19 


At  a  mcetint,^  of  the  Society,  held  at  St.  James's  Church,  on  Thurs^ 
day,  the  (sth  of  January,  1814,  thefolloimng  officers  ivere  elect- 
ed for  the  firesent  year: 

Right  Rev.  William  White,  U.  D.  President. 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  ■\ 

Chief  Justice  William  Tilghman,  I  Vice-Presidents. 

James  Milnor,  -' 

Thomas  Hale,  Treasurer. 

Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Charles  N.  Bancker,  Recording  Secretary. 

TRUSTEES. 

Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  P.  F.  Glentworth, 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D.  Levi  Hollingsworth, 

James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  William  Meredith, 

Joseph  Turner,  James  Montgomery, 

Frederick  Beasley,  William  Murdock, 

Jaines  Wiltbank,  Richard  North, 

Jehu  C.  Clay,  Edward  Penington, 

Paul  Beck,  jun.  John  Perot, 

Samuel  F.  Bi^dford,  John  Robbins, 

Ephraim  Clark,  James  S.  Smith, 

John  Claxton,       ,  John  C.  Stocker, 
Thomas  Cumpston,         •  John  B.  Wallace, 

Richard  Dale,  Caleb  P.  Wayne. 

Thomas  W.  Francis, 


NEW  LIFE  SUBSCRIBERS. 

Samuel  Sitgreaves,  William  Miller, 

Hannah  Lardner,  Richard  Peters. 
Benjamin  Stiles, 

NEW  ANNUAL  SUBSCRIBERS. 

John  Lardner,  George  Tryon, 

William  Lardner,  Edward  Killy, 

Juliana  Scott,  Edward  Lane, 


Charlotta  Cox, 
John  Morin  Scott, 
James  Moyes, 
Mary  Graham, 
James  Y.  Humphreys, 
John  Brown, 
John  C.  Montgomery, 
John  Read, 
Eliza  D.  Teackle, 
Isaac  H.  Jones, 


20 


Sarah  Barry, 
Mary  Montgomery, 
John  H.  Linn, 
Thomas  Charlton, 
Mary  Swift, 
Samuel  Brooks, 
John  Kempton, 
"Nathan  Bunker, 
James  Gowen, 
Bird  Wilson. 


THI»]) 


ANNUAL  REPORT 


OF  TJIE 


TRUSTEES 


OF  THE 


Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 


FOR  THE 


ADVANCEMENT   OF  CHRISTIANITY 


IN 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  SOCIETY, 

1815. 


FHTRD 

ANNUAL  REPORT, 


J  HEL  surest  test  of  the  usefulness  of  undertakings  is  expe- 
rience. The  Board  of  Trustees,  in  submitting  their  third  annual 
report,  are  happy  in  being  able  to  refer  to  this  evidence  of 
the  usefulness  of  the  one  in  which  the  members  of  this 
institution  near  three  years  ago  engaged.  Although  various 
causes  have  prevented  some  objects  originally  contemplated  from 
being,  in  their  full  extent,  obtained;  yet  none  of  them  have  been 
relinquished,  as  either  improper  in  their  design,  or  incapable  of 
ultimate  accomplishment.  They  have  given  place,  for  a  time,  to 
others  of  equal  or  superior  importance,  more  immediately  within 
the  limited  means  of  the  Society;  whilst,  at  the  same  time,  they 
have  been  kept  steadily  in  view,  under  a  humble  hope,  that  at 
no  distant  day.  Divine  Providence,  through  the  agency  of  indi- 
vidual exertion,  will  enable  the  Society  to  effect  in  a  consider- 
able degree  all  the  valuable  purposes  of  their  association. 

The  assistance  of  young  men  of  talents  and  piety,  candidates 
for  the  ministry  in  our  church,  is  one  of  the  objects  now  alluded 
to,  and  confessedly  of  great  importance.  Notwithstanding  the 
present  paucity  of  our  resources,  (which,  however,  considering 
the  embarrassed  state  of  our  public  affairs,  and  its  influence 
upon  the  circumstances  of  individuals,  are  as  abundant  as  could 
be  expected,)  the  Trustees  would  have  been  able  to  have  given 
50  interesting  a  direction  to  a  part  of  their  funds,  had  persons  of 
the  description  intended  to  be  benefited  come  under  their  no- 
tice. But  although  the  experience  of  the  past  year  confirms  the 
lamented  fact  of  a  great  existing  disproportion  between  the 
number  of  labourers  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ,  and  the  harvest 
calling  for  their  exertions,  the  Trustees  have  to  regret  that  no 
field  for  material  usefulness  in  this  respect  has  yet  been  un- 
folded. A  repetition  of  some  assistance  to  a  candidate  noticed  in 
a  former  report,  is  the  only  instance  which  has  yet  presented 
Itself  for  their  interference.  Several  other  cases,  however,  it  is 
believed,  will  ere  long  offer:  and  it  is  satisfactory  whilst  resting 
with  pious  confidence  upon  the  goodness  of  the  Great  Head  of 
the  Church  in  providing  for  its  welfare  and  continuance,  by 
raising  up  a  succession  of  faithful  pastors,  to  know,  that  the 


funds  destined  for  such  as  may  hereafter  require  pecuniary  aid 
during  the  period  of  their  preparation,  are  daily  accumulating; 
and  to  have  ground  for  hoping,  that  at  a  future  day,  when  occa- 
sion occurs  for  their  employment,  they  will  be  adequate  to  more 
extensive  and  efficient  usefulness.  The  number  of  candidates  for 
the  ministry  in  some  other  dioceses  is  considerable.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  a  removal  of  some  of  them  to  this  state,  under  the 
patronage  of  this  Society,  might  be  accomplished,  with  the  spe- 
cial design,  and  upon  the  condition,  of  their  being  engaged,  after 
receiving  orders,  in  missionary  tours  of  greater  or  less  extent  into 
those  parts  of  the  interior  of  this  diocese  where  ministerial  labour 
has  already  proved  so  eminently  beneficial.  It  is  an  additional 
mitigation  of  the  regret  unavoidably  felt  at  the  present  want  of 
ministers  in  our  communion,  that  there  are  in  this  state  at  pre- 
sent several  candidates,  and  an  increase  of  the  number  is  soon 
expected,  who  promise  to  be  ornaments  to  religion,  and  bless- 
ings to  the  church,  whilst  their  circumstances  render  unneces- 
sary any  intrenchment  on  the  funds  just  referred  to,  in  their 
favour. 

The  exertions  made  by  the  Society,  during  the  first  and  second 
years  of  its  existence,  in  the  publication  of  religious  tracts,  fur- 
nished such  a  supply,  as  to  render  it  unnecessary  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Trustees  to  add  to  the  number  during  the  year  that  has 
just  closed.  The  Tract  Committee,  however,  have  been  recently 
instructed  to  renew  their  attention  to  this  department  of  duty, 
and  several  publications,  under  their  auspices,  of  a  character 
adapted  to  the  instruction  of  the  poorer  classes  of  our  commu- 
nion, and  intended  for  gratuitous  distribution  among  them,  will 
probably  be  issued  in  the  course  of  the  present  year. 

The  success  of  the  Trustees  in  the  circulation  of  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  has  exceeded  their  most  sanguine  expectations. 
Since  the  date  of  the  last  report  three  hundred  and  forty -two 
copies  have  been  disposed  of;  and  there  are  now  demands,  which 
will  be  immediately  complied  with,  for  several  hundred  from 
different  parts  of  the  state.  It  will  no  doubt  be  acceptable  to  the 
Society  to  learn,  that  since  its  institution,  it  has  been  the  distri- 
butor of  near  one  thousand  prayer  books.  The  wishes  of  the 
poor  to  be  supplied  with  it,  when  made  known,  have,  in  every 
instance,  been  promptly  gratified;  and  yet  such  has  been  the 
number  paid  for  at  the  moderate  price  for  which  the  arrangement 
of  the  Trustees  authorise  their  sale,  that  the  whole  abatement 
of  the  funds  of  the  Society,  by  their  application  to  so  beneficial 
a  purpose,  does  not  far  exceed  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars. 

There  have  been  added  to  the  Society  since  tlie  date  of  the 


last  report,  eleven  members,  of  whom  one  is  a  life-subscriber, 
and  the  others  annual  subscribers.  A  few  of  the  latter  descrip- 
tion  of  contributors  having  declined,  the  whole  number  remains 
about  the  same  as  at  that  time. 

It  appears  from  the  Treasurer's  accounts,  an  abstract 
of  which  accompanies  this  report,  that  he  receiv- 
ed during  the  last  year  the  sum  of  S2071  X)^' 
And  that  he  expended  in  investments  for 
the  permanent  fund  and  current  charges, 
the  sum  of                                                     1775   17 
Leaving  in  his  hands  a  balance  of                    295  91 

2071  08 


After  defraying  the  various  expenses  of  the  institution,  includ 
ing  those  of  the  mission  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kemper,  and  the  prayer 
books  and  tracts  gratuitously  disposed  of,  the  Trustees  have 
been  enabled  to  increase  the  permanent  fund  from  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  ninety-three  dollars  and  forty  seven  cents, 
its  amount  last  year,  to  four  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirtcei\ 
dollars  and  forty-seven  cents:  The  whole  of  which  is  placed  in 
Turnpike  slock;  a  species  of  investment  productive  of  certain 
income,  and  as  little  subject  as  any  other  to  be  impaired  in  value 
by  the  fluctuating  state  of  public  alfairs,  or  the  various  other 
contingencies  by  which  almost  every  species  of  property  is  liable 
to  be  affected. 

The  collection  made  in  St.  Paul's  Church  after  a  Sermon 
preached  at  the  request  of  the  Trustees  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pil- 
more,  one  of  the  Vice-presidents  of  the  Society,  on  the  evening 
of  the  last  Epiphany,  contributed  JS386  64  to  the  above  stated 
increase  of  the  permanent  fund. 

The  Trustees  deem  it  proper  to  mention,  that  as  this  Society,. 
and  others  similar  to  it  in  design,  have  been  so  happy  as  to  re- 
ceive the  approbation  of  both  the  General  and  >State  Conventions 
in  the  efforts  which  they  have  employed  for  the  diffusion  of  the 
invaluable  doctrines  and  pure  worship  of  our  iVpostolic  Church; 
an  approbation  arising,  as  is  believed,  out  of  the  congeniality  of 
our  aim  with  that  of  those  respectable  and  authoritative  bodies, 
the  Trustees  availed  themselves  of  the  session  of  the  State 
Convention  in  this  city  in  the  month  of  June  Jast,  to  invite  its 
members  to  a  friendly  conference,  in  which  they  were  made 
acquainted  with  the  past  proceedings  of  the  Society,  and  fur- 
nished with  copies  of  the  last  annual  report.  A  lepetition  in 
future  of  these  frank  and  full  communications  v/ill  be  calculated 
to  inspire  confidence  in  the  Society,  to  spread  the  knowledge  of 
its  principles  and  objects,  and  to  interest  those  of  our  friends  in 
thfe  country,  whom  God  has  blessed  with  abiuxiance.  to  become 


contributors  to  an  institution,  whose  exertions  are  principally 
directed  to  the  establishment,  increase,  and  prosperity  of  the 
church  in  places  more  or  less  distant  from  the  metropolis.  The 
blessing  of  Almighty  God  upon  the  efforts  of  ministers  and  peo- 
ple in  the  city,  have  advanced  the  interests  of  the  church  here  to 
a  state  of  great  and  growing  prosperity;  proofs  of  which  are  seen 
in  the  liberal  supply  of  pecuniary  means  for  the  maintenance  of 
.the  gospel  ministry;  in  the  neatness,  if  not  splendour  of  its 
churches;  in  the  more  general  and  regular  attendance  of  its  mem- 
bers upon  public  worship,  and  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  sup- 
per; and  in,  what  is  of  most  importance,  the  increase  of  vital 
godliness  and  true  piety,  connected  with  an  undeviating  regard  to 
the  wholesome  order  and  discipline  of  the  church.  But  in  the 
dispersed  population  of  our  country  settlements,  where  the  mem- 
bers of  our  communion  are  few  in  number,  and  deficient  in 
resources,  it  cannot  be  expected  that  regular  public  worship  to 
any  extent  can  l:>e  maintained  by  their  own  unassisted  efforts, 
until  an  increase  of  both  takes  place;  and  even  where  the  num- 
ber of  Episcopalians,  and  their  pecuniary  means,  afford  better 
prospects,  still  a  variety  of  considerations  call  for  some  extra- 
neons  aid  in  tlie  commencement  of  their  endeavours. 

The  missionary  objects  of  the  Society  have,  therefore,  con- 
tinued principally  to  engage  the  minds  of  the  Trustees.  Had  it 
been  practicable  to  obtain  the  services  of  a  clergyman  of  com- 
petent talents  and  character  as  a  missionary,  they  would  have 
rejoiced  to  gratify  tiie  wishes  of  our  brethren  in  the  country,  by 
supplying  them  with  a  mission  much  earlier  than  it  was  at 
length  effected.  But  none  such  offered;  although  the  anxiety  of 
the  Trustees  on  this  subject  was  made  known  to  the  members 
of  the  late  General  and  State  Conventions,  and  various  other 
endeavours  were  used  to  obtain  a  suitable  person,  until  the 
month  of  August  last,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kemper,  of  whose 
voluntar}^  offer,  under  similar  circumstances,  a  former  board  had 
two  years  ago,  with  so  much  advantage,  availed  themselves, 
again  tendered  his  services.  The  necessary  conditions  subjoined 
to  this  offer  were,  that  leave  of  absence  should  be  obtained  for 
Mr.  Kemper  from  the  vestry  of  the  churches  in  which  he  is 
a  minister,  and  a  person  procured  to  supply  his  place.  The  offer 
was  gladly  accepted  by  the  board,  leave  of  absence  for  three  months 
readily  obtained,  and  arrangements  made  for  filling  Mr.  Kem- 
per's pulpits  during  his  missionary  tour.  He  sat  out  upon  his 
journey  on  the  fifteenth  of  August  last,  and  from  the  extensive 
circuit  which  it  embraced,  did  not  return  until  the  fourteenth  of 
December  following.  Without  intending  the  slightest  disparage- 


mem  of  former  undertakings  of  a  similar  kind,  tlie  Trustees,  in 
gratitude  to  Mr.  Kemper  and  in  justice  to  their  own  feelings, 
are  bound  to  represent  his  recent  missio)i  as  pre-eminentl)^  con- 
ducive to  the  interesting  purposes  which  they  have  contem- 
plated, and  are  progressively  eifecthig.  To  his  very  clear  and 
full  report,  which  the  Trustees  are  hiippy  herewith  to  submit  to 
the  Society,  they  refer  their  iellow- members,  for  a  minute  detail 
of  Mr.  Kemper's  very  arduous  labours.  They  cannot  however 
omit  calling  their  attention  to  a  few  prominent  particulars. 

It  will  be  seen  that  all  the  places  visited  in  former  missions 
were  now  revisited,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  their  pro- 
gress, preserving  alive  the  flame  of  zeal  whicli  had  been  kindled 
by  Mr.  Kemper's  first  labours,  and  by  those  of  his  worthy  and 
diligent  successor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clay.  Besides  these,  new 
bcenes  of  usefulness  have  been  explored. 

The  Connecticut  Reserve,  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  although  not 
stf  ictly  within  the  local  limits  of  the  ordinary  operations  of  the 
Society,  had  excited  interest  in  the  minds  of  the  Trustees,  from 
a  letter  relating  to  their  settlement  and  character  transmitted  to 
them  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor  of  Pittsbuigh.  Their  love  of  re- 
ligion, and  undeviating  attachment  to  the  church,  well  merited 
the  very  acceptable  marks  of  attention  which  they  received.  It 
is  humbly  trusted  that  God  will  reward  their  piety  and  zeal,  by 
an  early  supply  of  a  Pastor  to  this  shepherdless  flock,  and  that 
the  labours  of  our  missionary,  with  the  divine  blessing,  will  be 
made  conducive  to  so  desirable  an  end. 

The  brightening  prospects  of  the  church  in  Fayette  county 
are  also  a  subject  of  just  felicitation.  The  completion  of  the 
church  now  erecting  in  Brownsville,  it  is  trusted,  will  be  a  pre- 
lude to  other  enterprises  of  a  similar  nature  in  its  vicinity  and 
elsewhere.  Since  Mr.  Kemper's  return,  the  Trustees  have  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  the  vestry  of  that  church  earnestly  desiring 
their  aid  in  procuring  for  them  a  minister,  and  every  endeavour 
will  be  used  to  comply  with  their  wishes. 

The  prospect  of  useful  employment  for  future  missionaries, 
and  the  ultimate  establishment  of  Episcopal  congregations  in 
several  other  counties,  such  as  Adams,  Westmoreland,  Hunting- 
don, Venango,  Northampton,  Luzerne,  and  Bradford,  together 
with  the  new  spirit  infused  into  many  existing,  but  languishing 
congregations,  resulting  in  a  great  measure  from  the  attention 
already  paid  them  by  the  Society,  constitute  an  ample  reward  of 
past  labours,  and  an  earnest  of  what  may  be  expected  from  their 
further  continuance. 

The  last  named  county  had  especially  attracted  the  regard  of 
th^Trustees^ron^h^ircujnst^^ 


application  to  our  Right  Reverend  Bishop,  expressing  an  anxioAis 
desire  to  be  visited  by  a  missionary.  The  Trustees  rejoice  sin- 
cerely at  the  good  effects  likely  to  result  from  their  having  been 
able,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Mr.  Kemper,  to  gratify  the 
wishes  of  these  well  disposed  people,  which  the  new  board,  it 
is  hoped,  will  not  fail  to  forward  by  renewed  attention  to  a  scene 
of  operation  so  promising  to  their  views. 

The  Trustees  would  find  great  pleasure  in  dwelling  on  other 
circumstances  of  interest  in  Mr.  Kemper's  report;  but  it  would 
extend  their's  to  an  improper  length.  Let  it  suffice  to  observe, 
that  tlie  administration  of  the  holy  ordinance  of  baptism  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty-live  persons,  the  presentation  of  the  em- 
blems of  the  Redeemer's  sacrifice  to  many  pious  members  of 
our  communion  who  had  despaired  of  ever  enjoying  the  blessed 
privilege  of  their  reception,  the  dispensation  of  the  word  in 
places,  where  from  a  minister  of  our  communion  it  was  never 
before  heard,  the  actual  formation  of  several  new  congregations, 
the  well  grounded  exjDectation  of  that  of  several  others,  the  crea- 
tion of  a  demand  for  the  prayer  book,  extending  perhaps  for 
the  present  }'ear  to  one  thousand  copies,  the  individual  benefit 
probably  received  by  many  precious  souls  from  the  public 
preaching  and  private  counsels  of  the  faithful  ministers  of  God 
who  have  become  the  agents  of  the  Society  in  effecting  the  holy 
and  beneficent  designs  of  their  association;  and,  added  to  these 
benefits,  the  assurance  which,  in  a  combined  view,  they  present  of 
the  greater  success  and  advantage  to  be  derived  from  future  at- 
tempts, are  conclusive  grounds  of  encouragement  to  the  Society 
in  the  good  work  in  which  they  are  engaged. 

The  Trustees  confidently  trust,  that  a  sensation  so  pleasing 
will  be  produced  in  the  mind  of  every  member  by  reading  the 
report  of  Mr.  Kemper,  and  that  the  sentiment  which  they  do  not 
hesitate  now  to  advance  as  the  result  of  their  reflections,  will  not 
be  deemed  a  mistaken  one;  that  if  no  other  object  were  in  view 
than  the  frequent  supply  of  missions  to  our  destitute  brethren,  it 
would  well  merit  all  the  labour  and  expenditure  which  the  exer- 
tions and  the  funds  of  the  Society  could  furnish. 

But  when  connected  and  in  entire  harmony  with  this  leading 
point,  its  other  means  of  wide  extended  usefulness  are  consider- 
ed, who  can  doubt  that  this  institution  promises,  under  God,  to 
be  a  great  and  lasting  instrument  in  the  advancement  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  and  the  diffusion  of  the  principles  of  evan- 
gelical righteousness  and  truth? 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Society, 

WM.  WHITE,  President. 


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10 


We  the  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  accounts  oi' 
Thomas  Hale,  Treasurer  to  the  Society  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  for  the  advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsyl- 
vania,  do  certify,  that  we  have  examined  the  same,  and  find 
them  correct — that  they  correspond  with  the  accounts  kept  in 
the  books  of  the  Institution — that  the  payments  are  supported  by 
their  proper  vouchers;  and  that  there  is  a  balance  of  two  hun- 
dred and  ninety-five  dollars  and  ninety-one  cents  due  the  In- 
stitution from  the  said  Thomas  Hale.  We  have  also  examined 
the  bank  book,  and  find  that  all  monies  received  by  him  have 
been  duly  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania  in  his  name  as 
Treasurer,  and  drawn  out  only  for  the  use  of  the  same. 

C.  P.  WAYNE. 
JOHN  PEROT. 

Philadelphia^  December ^  1814, 


11 

The  following  gentlemen  have  been  on  Missions: 
Rev.  Mr.  Kemper,  in  1812. 
Mr.  Clay,      -       1813. 
Mr.  Kemper,       1814. 
Several  Missionaries  are  wanted  for  the  present  year. 


COMMITTEES 

Appointed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  year  1815. 

FINANCES. 

Tliomas  Hale,  John  Perot,  and  Paul  Beck,  are  the  Committee  of  Finance. 

MISSIONS. 
Rev.  James  Milnor,  Rev.  Dr.  Pilmore,  Rev,  Dr.  Abercrombie,  Dr.  P.  F. 
Glentworth  and  Horace  Binney,  are  a  Committee  who  have  in  charge  the 
procuring  of  suitable  missionaries. 

PRAYER  BOOKS. 

C.  P,  Wayne,  John  Claxton  and  James  S.  Smith,  are  a  Committee  to 
purchase  and  atiend  to  the  distribution  o{  Prayer  Books. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  any  member  who  has  it  in  his 
power  to  dispose  of  Prayer  Books,  gratis.,  or  at  the  very  low  fir  ice  paid  by  the 
Society  for  them,  can  be  supplied  by  applying  to  the  Committee.  By  this 
means  many  worthy  members  of  the  Church,  though  poor,  can  be  furnished. 
The  same  committee  are  empowered  to  furnish  bibles  suitable  for  reading 
desks,  to  Episcopal  congregations  who  have  not  the  means  of  procuring 
them. 

THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS. 

Chief  Justice  Tilghman,  Edward  i'ennington  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beazely, 
are  a  Committee  to  provide  suitable  aid  for  such  youths  of  ^^genius^  and 
piety"  who  may  desire  to  prepare  themselves  as  candidates  for  the  ministry, 
but  need  the  fostering  aid  of  benevolence  for  their  education. 

LIBRARY. 
C.  N.  Bancker,  E.  Pennington,  J.  C.  Stocker,  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper  and 
James  Montgomery,  are  a  Committee,  who  have  the  charge  ot  all  books  be- 
longing to  the  Society,  and  the  superintendence  of  the  Library,  which  contains 
many  valaable  works.  Any  member  of  the  Committee  will  receive  donations 
of  books  suitable  to  be  placed  in  the  Library. 

TRACTS. 
Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Charles  Wheeler  and  James  Montgomery,  are  a 
Committee,  to  superintend  the  publication  of  suitable  Tracts,  &c. 

CHURCH  IN  THE  NORTHERN  LIBERTIES. 
Richard    Dale,   Richard   North,   William  Murdock,   John    Robbins,  and 
Charles  Wheeler,  are  a  Committee,  to   confer  with    Episcopalians  in  the 
J^'orthern  Liberties  and  its  vicinity,  to  promote  means  for  establishing  and 
erecting  an  Episcopal  Church  in  that  township. 

Committees  to  collect  Subscriptions  and  to  obtain  JVetv  Subscribers. 
Christ  Church. — George  Bringhurst,  E.  Pennington,  William  Murdock. 
St.  Paul's. — Dr.  Glentworth,  Kichard  North,  John  Claxton,  J.  Robbins. 
St.  Peter's. — James  Sawer,  Horace  Binney,  J.  C.  Stocker. 
St.  James. — Richard  Dale,  John  Perot. 

^ZT  The  Subscribers  noould  relieve  the  Committees  by  calling  on  Thornas 
Haley  Treasurer,  M.  83.  Chesnut  Street,  fpay  their  annual  subscription. 


12 


CONSllTUTION. 


ARTICLE  I. 

THE  name  of  this  Society  shall  be  "  The  Society  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  for  the  Advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania."  Its 
object  is  the  pronaotion  of  christian  knowledge,  learning  and  piety,  in  this 
state. 

ARTICLE  II. 

The  officers  of  the  Society  shall  be  a  president,  three  vice-presidents, 
twenty  trustees,  a  treasurer,  a  corresponding  secretary,  and  a  recording  se- 
cretary, who,  together,  shall  form  a  board,  to  be  denominated,  "The  Board 
of  Trustees;"  any  five  of  whom  shall  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business.  The  bishop  shall,  ex  officio.,  be  president  of  the  society.  The  other 
officers  shall  be  appointed  by  ballot  at  the  anniversary  meeting  of  the  society,. 
and  a  plurality  of  votes  shall  constitute  a  choice. 

Clergymen  of  the  church,  resident  in  the  city  or  county  of  Philadelphia, 
members  of  the  society,  and  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  state  convention,  shall 
be  trustees  of  the  society,  in  addition  to  the  trustees  to  be  elected  as  afore- 
said, and  with  similar  powers — provided  they  do  not  exceed  nine  in  number; 
and  when  they  exceed  that  number,  it  shall  be  confined  to  the  nine  eldest  in 
settlement. 

Vacancies  in  the  offices  of  the  society,  shall  be  filled  by  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, until  the  annual  election  next  succeeding  the  happening  of  such 
vacancies. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Every  member  of  the  society  shall,  during  membership,  pay  annually  in 
advance  to  the  treasurer,  the  sum  of  five  dollars,  for  the  use  of  the  society. 
Such  persons  as  shall  at  any  time  pay  fifty  dollars,  or  more,  shall  be  members 
of  the  society  for  life  without  the  annual  payments;  such  donations  as  the 
pious  and  benevolent  may  at  any  time  make,  for  the  promotion  of  the  pur- 
poses of  the  society,  shall  also  be  received  by  llie  treasurer;  and  the  trustees 
shall  cause  a  record  to  be  kept  of  the  names  of  ail  such  benefactors,  with  an 
account  of  their  donations. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

The  lands  or  other  real  estate  which  the  society  may  at  any  time  acquire, 
shall  be  devolcd  to  lurtherijtg  their  general  objects;  and  shall  be  held, 
occupied,  appropriated  and  disposed  of  in  such  manner  as  the  by-laws  and 
resolutions  of  the  society  may  ciirect. 

ARTICLE  V. 
There  siiall  be  annually  a  meeting  of  the  society  in  Philadelphia,  on  the 
feast  of  the  E\)iphany;  on  which  day,  or  on  such  other  day,  and  in  such  church 
as  shall  be  appointed  by  the  board  of  trustees,  a  sermon,  suitable  to  the  occa- 
sion, shall  be  preached  before  them,  by  such  clergyman  as  shall  have  been 
appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  board  of  trustees;  after  which  a  collection 
shall  be  made  for  the  increase  of  the  funds  of  the  society.  The  rectors  of 
other  churches  shall  be  invited  to  have  services  performed,  and  collections 
made,  for  the  benefit  of  the  institution,  on  such  days  and  in  such  manner  as 
may  be  agreeable  to  the  proper  parochial  autharity;  and  whenever  the  feast 


13 

of  the  Epiphany  shall  fall  on  Sunday,  the  secular  business  of  the  society  shtill 
be  performed  on  the  day  after. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

The  board  of  trustees  shall  hold  stated  meetings  at  least  four  times  a  year, 
and  may  hold  adjourned  meetings  when  nccessai  y  Special  meetings  may  be 
called  by  the  president,  or  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  presidency,  by  the  se- 
nior vice-president,  or  by  a  majority  of  ihe  board  of  trustees;  but  when  spe- 
cial meetings  are  called,  the  lime  and  place  of  meeting,  and  the  subjects 
proposed  to  be  considered,  shall  be  previously  notified  to  the  members;  and 
no  other  subject  shall  be  discussed  or  acted  upon  at  such  meeting  unless  there 
be  at  least  twelve  members  present  To  the  board  of  trustees  shall  be  com- 
mitted the  care  of  the  society's  funds,  and  the  transaction  of  its  entire  busi- 
ness. They  shall  have  power,  according  to  their  discretion,  and  as  the  funds 
will  allow,  to  distribute  copies  of  the  I3ible,  the  book  of  Common  Prayer, 
useful  religious  tracts,  and  other  works  of  approved  reputation;  to  send  forth, 
under  the  sanction  and  direction  of  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocese, 
missionaries  to  those  places  within  this  state,  where  there  is  ground  for  the 
expectation  that  their  labours  will  be  useful  in  spreading  the  truths,  and  pro- 
moting the  practice  of  the  holy  morality  of  the  gospel — to  take  by  the  hand 
youths  of  genius  and  piety,  who  need  the  fostering  aid  of  benevolence,  and  arc 
meet  to  be  trained  up  for  the  ministry  of  the  church,  and  see  that  they  be 
properly  educated:  and  in  general  to  adopt  and  execute  such  measures,  as  in 
their  best  judgment  they  shall  deem  good  .and  practicable  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  purposes  of  the  society. 

ARTICLE  VII. 
It  shall  be  the  duly  of  the  board  of  trustees,  at  every  anniversary,  to  lay 
before  the  society  a  report  of  their  proceedings  during  the  preceding  year;  to 
exhibit  a  full  and  accurate  view  of  the  siate  of  the  society's  funds,  and  other 
property;  and  to  inform  them  of  any  matters  relative  to  the  objects  of  the  so- 
ciety, which  may  be  interesting  to  its  members.  A  copy  of  their  proceedings 
shall  be  annually  sent  to  the  secretary  of  the  council  of  advice,  in  order  t© 
give  opportunity  for  any  opinions  or  remarks  of  the  bishop,  or  of  that  coun- 
cil, or  of  the  state  convention,  to  whose  inspection  they  shall  be  always  open. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 
The  members  of  the  society,  resident  within  any  county  or  town  in  this- 
state,  other  than  Philadelphia,  may  form  themselves  into  corresponding  so- 
cieties, to  communicate  with  the  parent  society;  and  as  a  part  of  it,  and  under 
its  direction,  to  aid  in  promoting  the  general  object. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

This  society  being  intended  to  assist,  but  not  in  any  degree  to  interfere 
with,  or  intrench  upon  the  established  authority  of  the  church,  in  promoting 
her  interests  and  advancement  in  Pennsylvania,  it  is  hereby  declared,  that  in 
whatever  shall  be  done,  that  authority  shall  be  recognized  and  conlormed  to. 

ARTICLE  X. 
The  constitution  shall  not  be  altered,  unless  it  be  at  an  annual  meeting, 
with  the  consent  of  two  thirds  of  the  members  then  present,  and  in  the  mode- 
prescribed  by  law;  and  the  object  of  the  society  shall  never  be  changed. 


14 

At  a  mcetitig  of  the  Society,  held  at  St.  James's  Church,  on 
Wednesday,  the  6th  of  January,  1815,  the  following  officers 
were  elected  for  the  present  year. 


Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D.  President. 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  T 

Chief  Justice  William  TilKhman,C  Vice-Presidents. 

John  Perot,  j 

Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Cliarles  N.  Bancker,  Recording  Secretary. 

"i'lionias  Hale,  Treasurer. 

TRUSTEES. 

Rev.  Robert  Black  well,  D.  D.  Horace  Biuney, 

Joseph  Hutchins,  D.  D.  Paul  Beck,  junr. 

James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  Jacob  Hall, 

Joseph  Turner,  Thomas  W.  Francis, 

Frederick  Beazley,  D.  D  Edwurd  Penington, 

J  ames  Wiltbank, '  James  S.  Smith, 

James  Milnor,  James  Montgomery, 

Walter  Kerr,  Cliarles  Wheeler, 

Caleb  P.  Wayne,  John  Claxton, 

Jolm  C.  Stocker,  junr.  Richard  Dale, 

P.  F.  Glentworthi  M.  D.  G.  Bringhurst, 

William  Murdock,  *  John  Robbins, 

Richard  North,  •  S.  F.  Bradford, 

James  Sawer, 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 

LIFE  SUBSCRIBERS. 

Thomas  Armat,  Germantovvn;  Richard  Bailey,  Germantown;  Paul  Beck,  junr.  Tho- 
mas Burke,  William  Challoner,  Joseph  Clark,  William  Davidson,  Jane  Duche,  Thomas 
W.  Francis,  Edward  Gray,  Hannah  Lardner,  William  Mille,  Thomas  M'Euen,  James 
Milnor,  John  Myers,  Lewis  Neill,  R.  Peters,  Benjamin  Rush,  M.  D.  James  Stokes, 
Germantown;  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  Easton;  Benjamin  Stiles,  Bankson  Taylor,  C.  Justice 
William  Tilgiiman,  Peter  Van  Pelt,  John  B.  Wallace. 

ANNUAL  SUBSCRIBERS. 
A 
Rev.  James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  William  Adams,  Rev.  John  Armstrong,  York,  Penn.; 
Michael  W.  Ash,  Jolin  Ashburner. 

B 
Sai'ah  Baird,  William  J.  Baker,  Charles  N.  Bancker,  Charles  Barrington,  Richard 
Barrington,  B.  S.  Barton,  Esther  Barton,  William  Bethell,  WiUiam  I.  Bell,  William  S. 
Blddle,  Charles  Biddle,  Charles  Biddle,  junr.  Thomas  Biggs,  Horace  Binney,  Sarah 
Barry,  John  Bioren,  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D  Edward  Bowlby,  Samuel  F.  Brad- 
ford, George  Bringhurst,  Sarah  Brovrne,  Rev.  Levi  Bull,  John  Brown,  Sarah  Bunner, 
Edward  Burd,  Samuel  Brooks,  Nath.an  Bunker. 

C 

Charles  Caldwell,  Jo.seph  Carson,  Catharine  Chew,  Benjamin  Chew,  Elizabeth  Chew, 
Mary  Clapier,  Charlotte  Cox,  Tiiomas  Charlton,  Jacob  Clark,  Ellis  Clark,  Benjamin 
Clark,  Catliarine  Clark,  Ephraim  Clark,  John  Claxton,  Jacob  Clement,  Jacob  Clement, 
junr.  Joseph  Cooper,  Collin  Cooper,  Thomas  Cooper,  John  Coulter,  Israel  Coulter,  Es- 
ther Cox,  John  R.  Coxe,  M.  D.  Jane  Craig-,  Thomas  Cumpston,  WiUiam  Currie. 


15 

D 

Richard  Dale,  Hugh  Dc  Hiven,  Peter  De  Haven,  junr.  Hugh  De  Haxeii,  junr.  Jolii\ 
Delaveau,  Phebe  Dickinson,  Mary  Donaldson,  Germantown;  J.  M.  Douglass,  James  H. 
Dundas,  John  Du  Puy. 

E 
James  EccUs,  John  Elliott,  Lewis  Elhnuker,  Elisha  N.  English,  Robert  T.  Evans, 
Manuel  Eyre. 

F 
Thomas  Fenton,  Robert  Fieldin(j,Mary  Fisher,  Samuel  I.  Fisher,  Elizabeth  P.  Fisher, 
Willing'  Francis,  John  Francis,  Thomas  Francis,  George  Harrison   Francis,  Charles 
Francis,  iunr. 

^  G 

James  Gamble,  Richard  George,  James  Gil)son,  John  Gibson,  P.  F.  Glentworth,  M, 
D.  Robert  E.  Griffith,  Francis  Gurncy,  Mary  Graiiaui,  James  Gowan. 

H 
Thomas  Hale,  Jacob  Hall,  David  Hall,  Margaret  Hamilton— Woodlands;  Andrew 
Hamilton— Woodlands;  James  Hamilton— \VoodlaiuIs;  Charles  W.  Hare,  John  Harland, 
Jane  Harland,  George  Harrison,  Henry  Harrison,  Henry  Hawkins,  Samuel  Hazlehurst, 
Stephen  Henderson,  Bernard  Henry,  Henry  HoUinpsworth,  Levi  Hollingsworth,  I.  C. 
Hommann,  Hannah  Hood,  Joseph  Hopkinson,  Joseph  Huddell,  Joseph  Huddell,  junr, 
Samuel  Humphreys,  James  Y.  Humphreys,  John  Hunt. 

I 

Catharine  Ingles,  John  Inskeep,  Isaac  Jones,  Isaac  H.  Jones,  Thomas  Jones,  Joseph 
Jones,  Alphonso  C.  Ireland. 

K 
John  Keene,  Samuel  Keith,  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Edward  Killy,  John  Kempton, 

Walter  Kerr,  James  King,  James  P.  Kingston,  William  Kirkham,  Daniel  Knight, 

Knight,  Henry  Kuhl. 

L 
John  Lardner,  William  Lardner,  Lower  Dublin;  Edward  Lane,  John  H.  Linn,  Re- 
becca Learning,  Thomas  F.  Learning,  John  Lohra,  Peter  Lohra,  Sampson  Levy. 

M 

Margaret  M'Call,  Judith  M'Call,  Margaret  M'Call,  George  W.  M'Coy,  William 
M'Kenzie,  John  Markland,  James  Moyes,  Roxborough,  P.  county;  John  Markoe,  Wil- 
liam Meredith,  Ann  Meredith,  Alexander  Miller,  Juliana  Miller,  John  Miller,junr, 
Richard  Milne,  William  Milnor,  junr.  Austin  Montgomery,  James  Montgomery,  John 

C.  Montgomery,  Frederick  MontmolUn,  Thom.as  Moore, junr.  Marmaduke  Moore,  John 
W.  Morrell,  Robert  Morrell,  Benjamin  Morris,  Mary  Montgomery,  Mary  Muhlen- 
berg, William  Murdock,  Alexander  Murray,  James  Musgrave. 

N 
Joseph  Norman,  Richard  North,  Stephen  North 

O 

George  Oakley. 

P 

John  B.  Palmer,  John  Parham,  Edward  Penington,  Margaret  Pepper,  John  Perot, 
James  Perot,  Edward  Perot,  William  Phillips,  Rebecca  Phillii)s,  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore, 

D.  D.  Richard  C.  Potter,  John  Poulson,  Charles  A.  Poulson,  Eiizul)cth  Powel,  John  H 
Powel,  Henry  Pratt,  John  M.  Price. 

R 
Condy  Raguet,  Robert  Ralston,  Sarah  Ralston,  William  Read,  George  Reinholdt, 
John  Robbins,  Samuel  I.  Robbins,  Thomas  Roberts,  James  Robertson,  John  Read. 

S 
James  Sawer,  William  Schlatter,  Maria  C.  Sheaff,  John  D.  Sheaff,  Mary  Swift, 
George  Simpson,  H.  Simpson,  J.  S.  Skerrett,E.  and  A.  Smart,  Germantown;  The  Miss 
Smiths,  V»'illiam  Smith,  Richard  Smith,  Daniel  Smith,  Frans.  G.  Smith,  Dockeray 


16 

Smith,  James  S.  Smith,  George  Summers,  Crooke  Stevenson,  John  G.  Stocker,  Marga- 
ret Stocker,  John  M.  Scott,  Juliana  Scott,  Anthony  Stocker,  John  C.  Stocker,  junr. 
John  Stoddart. 

T 
Eliza  D.  Teackle,  Joseph  Ta.^ert,  Benjamin  Tanner,  Mary  Ann  Thomas,  George 
Thompson,  Edward  Thompson,  Rebecca  Trenchavd,  Rev.  Joseph  Turner,  George  Try- 
on,  Edward  Twells,  Sarah  Twells,  Godfi-ey  Twells. 

V 
John  Vallance,  Tliomas  Vizer. 

W 

J.  G.  Wachsmuth,  Francis  Wade,  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  junr.  David  Ware,  Caleb  P. 
Wayne,  John  Wharton,  Charles  Wheeler,  John  Wheeler,  Samuel  Wheeler,  Rt.  Rev. 
William  White,  D.  D.  Thos.  H.  White,  Jacob  C.  Wikoff,  James  Williams,  Thomas  M. 
Willing,  Thomas  Willing,  Eliza  Willing,  George  Willing,  Robert  B  Willing,  Rev. 
James  Wiltbank,  Christian  Wiltberger,  Joseph  Worrell,  Bird  Wilson,  Norristown. 


NEW  LIFE  SUBSCRIBER. 
Mary  Binney. 

NEW  ANNUAL  SUBSCRIBERS. 
Wm.  G.  Elder,  Somerset,  Pa.;  John  Webster,  Somerset,  Pa.;  George  Hogg,  junr 
Brownsville,  Pa.;  Jas.  Carson,  Wm.  Kyle,  Rev.  Jehu  C.  Clay,  Norristown,  Pa.;  Ciiarles 
Perry,  Joseph  P.  Grant,  Miss  Lyman. 


NOTICE. 

In  all  devises  and  bequests  to  the  Society,  the  proper  style  and  name  of  the  corpora- 
tion must  be  used,  which  is,  "  The  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania" 


FOURTH 

ANNUAL  REPORT 


OF  THE 


TRUSTEES 


Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


FOR  THE 


ADVANCEMENT  OF  CHRISTIANITY 


IK 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


PHILADELPHIA; 

PRINTED  FOR  THE  SOCIETY, 
William  Fry,  Printer. 

1816. 


FOURTH 
ANNUAL  REPORT. 


1  HE  Board  of  Trustees  in  laying  before  the  Society  tlieir 
Fourth  Annual  Report,  hope  they  will  not  be  considered  as 
having  lost  sight  of  any  of  the  objects  entrusted  to  their  care:  but 
while  they  congratulate  themselves  on  having  in  some  degree 
effected  the  general  designs  of  the  institution,  they  have  to  regret 
that  from  causes  not  within  their  control,  they  have  been  dis- 
appointed in  some  of  their  hopes  and  expectations. 

One  of  the  leading  objects  of  the  board  has  been  to  procure 
suitable  persons  to  act  as  Missionaries;  who  under  the  direction 
of  the  society  might  be  sent  to  supply  the  vacant  churches  in  this 
diocese;  and  also  to  visit  those  little  societies  of  Episcopalians  in 
various  parts  of  the  state,  who  are  anxious  to  have  the  Word  and 
Ordinances  administered  under  that  authority  which  they  are  ac- 
customed to  acknowledge.  Accordingly,  at  an  early  period  in  the 
last  year  the  attention  of  the  trustees  was  directed  to  this  interest- 
ing subject.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  devise  a  plan  by 
which  the  society  might  be  constantly  supplied  with  one  or  more 
Missionaries.  The  report  of  this  committee  having  embraced  ex- 
tensive views  not  within  the  present  means  of  the  society,  its  ge- 
neral subject  was  left  for  future  consideration.  In  the  mean  time  it 
was  proposed  that  the  corresponding  secretary  should  be  instruct- 
ed to  write  to  several  clergymen  of  our  church,  residing  in  other 
places,  and  make  known  to  them  the  wants  of  the  society,  request- 
ing their  attention  to  this  subject.  This  was  accordingly  done;  and 
at  first,  hopes  were  entertained  that  one  or  more  persons  would 
have  been  procured  during  the  last  season.  When  it  was  ascer- 
tained, however,  that  no  Missionary  could  be  obtained,  the  com- 
mittee having  the  superintendence  of  this  department,  were  in- 
structed to  write  to  the  different  missionary  stations,  accounting 
for  the  disappointment,  and  urging  them  to  persevere  in  their 
attachment  to  our  Holy  Apostolic  Church. 

In  order,  however,  that  to  a  certain  extent  those  vacant  congre- 
gations scattered  throughout  the  state,  might  be  occcasionuily 
visited;  and  to  aid  and  assist  in  carrying  into  effect  a  resolution  of 
the  last  state  convention,  providing  for  the  occasional  supply  of 
the  churches  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Philadelphia;  and  more- 
over to  extend  as  much  as  possible  the  means  of  usefulness  of 


4 

this  society,  it  was  thought  expedient  for  the  board,  to  offer  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  such  missionaries  as  should  with  the  sanc- 
tion of  the  bishop  visit  any  of  the  vacant  churches,  provided  a 
report  of  such  visit  be  laid  before  them. 

As  yet,  there  have  been  no  reports  of  services  rendered  under 
the  foregoing  resolution.  But  it  is  believed,  that  the  following 
places  were  visited  during  the  last  summer: — Chester,  Lardner, 
Easton,  Reading,  and  New  London  Cross-Roads. 

In  the  last  year  five  hundred  and  fifty-four  prayer  books 
have  been  distributed,  principally  among  the  country  churches. 

The  trustees  would  have  been  able  to  dispose  of  many  more, 
but  it  was  thought  expedient  to  postpone  the  purchase  of  any  new 
books,  until  the  stereotype  edition  now  printing  in  this  city  by 
Messrs.  Maxwell  and  Fry,  should  be  completed.  It  will  no  doubt 
afford  great  pleasure  to  the  members  of  the  society,  and  to  Epis- 
copalians generally,  to  learn  that  this  edition  will  soon  be  finished; 
when  they  will  be  enabled  to  procure  this  invaluable  compend  of 
divine  truth  and  refined  devotion  at  an  unusually  reduced  price. 

By  a  report  of  the  committee  of  tracts  dated  in  June  last,  it  ap- 
peared that  those  purchased  and  published  by  the  society  hereto- 
fore, had  nearly  all  been  distributed.  A  few  copies,  however,  re- 
main of  the  following  titles: 

1  On  Baptismal  and  Spiritual  Regeneration. 
154  Pastoral  Advice  before  Confirmation. 
165  Pastoral  Advice  after  Confirmation. 
1  On  Good  Friday. 
15  Companions  to  the  Common  Prayer  Book. 
76  St.  Paul's  Opinion  of  Jesus  Christ. 
6  Nelson  on  Confirmation. 
149  Bishop  Wilson's  Sacra  Privata. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  have  been  purchased  of  the  assignees 
of  Messrs.  Bradford  and  Inskeep, 

595  copies  of  Bishop  Dehon's  Sermon  before  the  General  Con- 
vention. 
315  do.  Bishop  Hobart's       do.  do.  do. 

421  do.  Dr.  Croes'  do.  do.  do. 

1368  do.  Exposition  of  Church  Catechism,  by  Dr.  Mann. 

1643  do.  Church    Catechism,   in    Small    Questions    and 

Answers. 
515  do.  St.  Paul's  Opinion  of  Jesus  Christ. 

5^  do.  Instructions  on  Confirmation. 


513  copies  of  Directions  for  Public  Worship. 
287  do.    '       Discourses  on  Baptism. 
488  do.  Pastoral  Advice  before  Confirmation. 

563  do.  Pastoral  Advice  after  Confirmation. 

7348  copies  in  the  whole.  About  the  same  time  in  consideration  of 
the  small  number  kit  of  many  of  the  above  tracts,  and  because 
they  attbrded  no  general  assortment,  to  enable  the  trusltes  to  an- 
swer the  various  demands  made  upon  them  from  distant  places;  and 
above  all,  in  consideration  that  the  benefits  of  this  institution  may 
be  greatly  extended  by  devising  measures  and  pursuing  plans 
for  the  more  general  distribution  of  these  "  little  books,"  they 
directed  such  a  number  to  be  printed  as  would  render  it  unneces- 
sary in  all  probability,  to  publish  again  in  some  time.  There  are 
at  present  in  the  press,  and  nearly  completed,  two  thousand  copies 
of  each  of  the  following: 

Bishop  Gibson's  Tract  on  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Extract  from  Bishop  Beveridge's  Sermon  on  the  Excellence  of 

the  Liturgy. 
A  Treatise  on  the  Nature  and  Constitution  of  the  Christian 

Church,  by  William  Stevens. 
Arch-Bishop  Synge's  Essay  towards  making  the  Knowledge  of 

Religion  Easy  to  the  meanest  capacity. 
Bishop  Gibson  on  the  Observarion  of  the  Lord's  Day. 
Bishop  Gibson  on  the  Duty  of  Family  Worship. 
Christians'  Daily  Devotions. 
The  Careless  Sinner  Awakened,  and  the  Awakened  Sinner  urged 

to  an  immediate  Consideration,  and  Cautioned  against  Delay. 
Extract  from  The  Dairyman's  Daughter. 
The  Shepherd  of  Salsbury  Plain. 

The  greatest  difficulty  which  has  occurred  to  the  minds  of  the 
board,  has  been  to  fix  upon  a  suitable  plan  by  which  these  tracts 
might  be  generally  distributed;  and  here  they  would  wish  to  im- 
press upon  the  minds  of  the  members  of  the  society  generally,  a 
sense  of  the  importance  of  this  branch  of  their  charities.  Let  it  not 
be  said  that  the  circulation  of  Religious  Tracts  can  eftect  no 
valuable  end.  Such  has  not  been  the  opinion  of  the  wisest  and 
best  men  in  the  Christian  Church,  who  have  seen  as  the  result  of 
pious  exertion  in  various  parts  of  the  world,  the  blessing  of  God 
accompanying  these  little  labours.  In  order  to  form  a  correct 
opinion  on  this  subject,  we  must  not  consider  these  tracts  as 
merely  aiding  in  the  Work  of  Salvation  where  the  means  of  grace 
are  all  enjoyed.  Although  even  there  they  may  be  extensively  use- 


ful.  Their  greatest  benefit  is  felt,  where  the  voice  of  a  living  mes- 
senger is  seldom  heard,  and  where  the  interference  of  pious  re- 
monstrance would  not  be  endured.  The  excellency  of  this  plan 
of  instruction  consists  in  this,  that  with  the  greatest  facility  they 
may  be  circulated  wherever  they  may  suit  the  necessities  of  those 
intended  to  be  benefited.  Not  only  may  they  be  an  acceptable 
present  in  the  mansions  of  ease  and  comfort,  and  doubly  wel- 
come in  the  cottages  of  the  poor,  but  the  soldier  in  his  camp,  the 
sailor  on  the  deep,  the  invalid  in  hospitals,  the  debtor,  the  cap- 
tive and  the  criminal  while  confined  in  prisons,  may  all  become 
the  subjects  of  divine  grace,  through  the  instrumentality  of  these 
trifling  agents.  And  moreover  in  those  waste  places  of  our  Zion, 
where  the  flock  of  Christ  are  straying  without  a  shepherd,  we  can 
in  this  way  in  some  degree  supply  their  wants;  while  we  instruct 
them  in  pure  evangelical  doctrine,  we  are  also  enabled  to  recom- 
mend an  adherence  to  our  excellent  church. 

While  the  trustees  would  recommend  this  subject  to  the  atten- 
tion  of  the  society,  they  would  also  inform  them,  that  by  a  late 
resolution  of  the  board,  each  member  will  be  entitled  to  receive 
gratuitously  a  number  of  tracts,  which  at  the  price  of  publication, 
shall  be  equal  to  one  half  of  the  subscription  money;  and  it  is  ear- 
nestly recommended  to  those  who  can  devote  a  portion  of  their 
time  to  visiting,  and  religious  instruction,  that  they  would  avail 
themselves  of  the  advantages  hereby  intended  to  be  afforded  them. 

The  clergy  of  the  church  who  are  members  of  this  society  arc 
also  respectively  informed,  that  they  will  hereafter  be  entitled  to 
receive  any  number  of  tracts  free  of  expense,  which  they  may 
want  for  their  own  distribution. 

Another  subject  in  which  the  board  of  trustees  have  taken  no 
little  interest,  was  the  establishment  of  a  new  church  in  the 
Northern  Liberties.  At  an  early  period  in  the  last  year,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Episcopalians  residing  in 
that  township,  and  use  their  influence  to  promote  the  desired 
object.  From  the  zeal  manifested  by  those  gentlemen  more  im- 
mediately concerned,  who  gladly  seized  this  opportunity  to  pro- 
vide for  themselves  and  their  children  a  house  of  worship;  in  con- 
sideration that  a  lot  of  ground  had  been  many  years  before,  de- 
vised by  William  Coates,  for  the  scite  of  an  Episcopal  Church; 
and  in  dependence  upon  the  known  liberality  of  the  Episcopalians 
in  this  city,  it  was  thought  proper  to  encourage  the  undertaking; 
and  accordingly  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars  has  been  appro- 
priated to  that  object.  The  trustees  are  happy  to  inform  the  so- 
ciety, that  on  the  eighteenth  of  September  last,  the  corner  stone 
of  the  said  church  was  laid;  and  before  the  winter  weather  could 


injure  it,  the  building  was  enclosed,  and  perfectly  secured.  Exer- 
tions  have  been  made  ever  since  last  winter  to  collect  the  congre- 
gation who  are  to  worship  in  the  church  when  finished.  In  the 
month  of  March  last,  divine  service  was  commenced  on  Sunday 
evenings,  in  the  Commissioners'  Hall  in  Third  Street,  and  con- 
tinued by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Milnor  and  Kemper,  alternately,  until 
the  eighteenth  of  Jun^  when  a  clergyman  was  engaged  to  officiate 
statedly:  since  which  time,  there  has  been  service  twice  every 
week. 

It  was  made  known  to  the  board,  by  a  committee  from  the 
Episcopalians  residing  in  Orwell  Township,  Bradford  County, 
that  a  Member  of  the  Society  had  presented  them  with  an  hun- 
dred acres  of  land,  to  be  made  use  of  as  a  glebe;  whereupon  the 
thanks  of  the  society  were  ordered  to  be  presented  him  for  his 
liberal  donation. 

After  defraying  all  the  expenses  of  the  last  year,  it  will  be  ob- 
served by  the  treasurer's  account  hereto  annexed,  that  the  fund  of 
this  society  has  been  increased,  from  4613  dollars  and  47  cents 
to  6007  dollars  47  cents;  that  there  have  been  received  2260  dol- 
lars and  26  cents,  and  expended  2082  dollars  and  ol  cents,  leav- 
ing a  balance  in  the  treasurer's  hands  of  177  dollars  and  95  cents. 
Within  the  same  time  have  been  added  to  the  society,  twenty- 
three  new  members,  eighteen  annual,  and  five  life  subscribers.  It 
is  confidently  hoped  that  Episcopalians  generally  will  by  this 
time  have  been  convinced  of  the  benefits  which  may  flow  from 
an  institution  combining  such  various  views  of  usefulness;  and 
when  they  consider  that  the  objects  of  this  association  can- 
not be  effected  to  any  great  extent  without  an  increase  of  their 
means,  they  will  come  forward,  and  by  their  individual  contribu- 
tions, manifest  a  determination  to  give  effectual  aid  to  the  only 
society  in  this  state,  exclusively  Episcopalian.  The  prospects 
which  open  before  us  on  every  hand,  are  calculated  to  interest  all 
our  faculties.  As  Christians,  we  feel  a  common  interest  in  extend- 
ing the  "knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  Christ;"  as 
Episcopalians  we  cannot  be  indifferent  to  the  great  interests  of 
that  church  to  which  it  is  our  happiness  to  belong,  and  while  we 
witness  with  great  pleasure,  the  labours  of  all  those  who  are  en- 
gaged in  the  cause  of  our  Common  Master,  and  wish  them  "  God 
speed,"  we  would  fain  trust,  that  by  the  exertions,  and  liberal 
benefactions  of  the  members  of  our  church  generally,  we  will  be 
enabled  to  carry  into  complete  effect,  all  the  objects  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  board, 

WM.  WHITE,  President. 


Dr.       The  Society  of  the  Protestant  Efiiscofial  Church  for  the 


ms. 

Feb.  2-  To  cash  paid  William  Fry's  account  for  printing,  per 

order  of  Bishop  White,  President,  ... 

To  do.  paid  C.  P.  Wayne,  Chairman  of  committee  of 

Prayer  Bo.ks,  per  order  of  Bishop  White,  dated  4th 

January,  1815, 

To  do.  paid  Dr.  P.  F.  Glentworth,  expenses  on  the  eve 
ning  ot  the  Epiphany,  per  order  of  Bishop  White, 
11th  January,  1815,  -         .         .         .         . 

April  17.  To  do.  paid  M'Euen,  Hale  &  Davidson,  as  per  bill 
and  receipt  of  this  date,  for  1000  dollars  of  United 
States  six  per  cent,  stock,  at  90|  per  cent. 
21.  To  do.  paid  William  Fry,  for  printing-  Third  Annual 
Report,  &c.  per  order  of  Bishop  White,  10th  April, 
1815,         

July  11.  To  do.  paid  M'Euen,  Hale  &  Davidson  as  per  bill  and 
receipt  of  iliis  date,  for  300  dollars  of  United  States 
six  per  cent,  stock,  at  97  per  cent.     ... 

Aug.  12.  To  do.  paid  M'Euen,  Hale  &  Davidson,  as  per  bill 
and  receipt  of  this  date,  for  200  dollars  of  United 
States  sis  per  cent,  stock,  at  971  per  cent. 

Sep.  26.  To  do.  paid  Rev.  J.  Kemper,  per  order  of  Bishop  White, 
President,  22d  September,         .... 

Oct.  13.  To  do.  paid  assignees  of  Bradford  &  Inskeep,  per  order 
of  Bishop  White, 

Nov.  7.  To  do.  paid  James  Montgomery,  one  of  the  committee 
on  Tracts,  agreeably  to  a  j-esolution  of  the  board  of 
trustees, -- 

Dec.  9.  To  do.  do.  do.  do 

Dec.  23.  To  balance  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  this  day. 


PERMANENT  FUND. 

13  shares  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  ' 
Turnpike  Stock,         .... 
3  do.        Frankford  Turnpike  Stock, 

1500  dollars  of  United  States  six  per  cent. 
Stock,        

The  certificates  in  name  of  the  Society  in  the 
hands  of  the  Treasurer. 


Cost  g  6007  47 


s 


95 
150 

21 
907 

53 

291 

195 

20 

150 


lOS 

90 

177 


g2,260 


44- 

00 

45 

50 

42 

00 

50 
00 
00 


95 


26 


advancement  of  Christianityy  Isfc.  in  account  with  Thomas  Hale.  Cr.' 


1814. 
Dec.  26.  By  balance  as  per  account  rendered  this  day, 

1815. 

Feb.    2.  By  this  sum  received  on  the  evening  of  the  Epiphany, 
when  a  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Doctor 
James  Abercrombie,         .        .        .        .         . 
By  this  sum  received  by  the  hands  of  Rev.  Jackson 
Kemper,  donations  from  a  number  of  churches  and 
c<jnpi"egations  durinj^  his  last  mission. 
By  dividend  on  13  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  Turnpike 
Shares,  at  nine  dollars  per  share,  due  21st  January, 
1815,  117  dollars;  advance  on  specie  payment,  1  30, 
June  20.  By  this  sum  received  by  the  hands  of  the  Rev  Jackson 
Kemper,  from  Reading,  10  dolls.  St.  John's  Church, 
New  London  Cross-Roads,  18  dolls,  and  from  Tho 
mas  Charleton  of        do.         do.         2  dollars. 
By  dividend  on  3  Frankford  Turnpike  Shares,  due  20tl 
May,  3  dollars  50  cents  per  share,     - 
July  11.  By  one  quarter's  interest  on  1000  dollars  United  States' 

six  per  cent.  Stock,  due  1st  instant, 
Aug.  8.  By  this  sum  returned  by  a  theological  student, 
Sept.  13.  By  do.  received  from  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  proceeds 

of  a  horse  sold, 

Oct.    9.  By  one  quarter's  interest  on  1500  dollars  United  States' 

six  per  cent.  Stock,  due  1st  instant, 

14.  By  this  sum  received  from  Rev.  J.  Kemper,  proceeds 

of  a  horse  sold, 

Dec.  23.  By  sundry  small  notes  received  on  the  evening  of  the 
Epiphany,  ....... 

By  dividend  on  3  Frankford  Turnpike  Shares,  at  2  dol 

lars  per  share,  due  20th  November,  1815, 
By  the  following  monies  received  on  account  of  the  so- 
ciety, viz. 

5  Life  Subscriptions,       -        -        -        S  250  00 

159  Yearly        do.  .        -        -        .         795  OO 

Donations, 9  00 


By  balance* 


ERRORS  EXCEPTED, 

THOMAS  HALE,  Treasurer. 
Philadelphia  December  23,  1815. 


S  295  91 


210 
179 
118 

30 
10 

15 

200 

61 

22 

42 

14 

6 

1054 


g2,260 


s  177 


75 

10 
30 

00 

50 

00 
00 

50 

50 

00 

70 

00 

00 


26 


95 


B 


We  the  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  accounts  of  Tho- 
mas Hale,  treasurer  to  the  Society  of  the  Episcopal  Church  for 
the  advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania,  do  certify,  that 
we  have  examined  the  same  and  find  them  correct — that  they 
correspond  with  the  accounts  kept  in  the  books  of  the  Institution 
— that  the  payments  were  supported  by  their  proper  vouchers, 
and  that  there  remains  a  balance  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  dollars  and  ninety-five  cents  in  his  hands,  in  favour  of  the 
Society.  We  have  also  examined  the  bank  book,  and  find,  that 
all  monies  received  by  him,  have  been  duly  deposited  in  the 
bank  of  Pennsylvania,  in  his  name,  as  treasurer  to  the  Institution, 
and  drawn  out  only  for  the  use  of  the  same. 

JOHN  PEROT, 
C.  P.  WAYNE. 

Philadelphia,  December  26,  1815. 


11 

The  folloiving  gentlemen  have  been  on  Missions: 

Rev.  Mr.  Kemper,  in  1812. 
Mr.  Clay,  1813. 

Mr.  Kemper,       1814. 
Several  Missionaries  are  wanted  for  the  year  1816. 


COMMITTEES 

Jlppointed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the  year  1816. 

FINANCES. 
Thomas  Hale,  John  Perot,  and  Paul  Beck,  are  the  Committee  of  Finance 

MISSIONS. 
Rev.  James  Milnor,  Rev.  Dr.  Pilmore,  Rev.  Dr.  Abercrombie,  Dr.  P.  F, 
Glentworth  and  Horace  Binney,  are  a  Committee  who  have  in  charge  the 
procuring  of  suitable  missionaries. 

PRAYER  BOOKS. 

C.  P.  Wayne,  John  Claxton  and  James  S.  Smith,  are  a  Committee  to  pur- 
chase and  attend  to  the  distribution  oi  Prayer  Books. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  any  member  who  has  it  in  his 
power  to  dispose  of  Prayer  Books,  gratis,  or  at  the  very  ioiv  price  paid  by  the 
Society  for  them,  can  be  supplied  by  applying  to  the  Committee.  By  this 
means  many  worthy  members  of  the  Church,  though  poor,  can  be  furnished. 
The  same  committee  are  empowered  to  furnish  bibles  suitable  for  reading 
desks,  to  Episcopal  congregations  who  have  not  the  means  of  procuring  them. 

THEOLOGICAL  STUDENTS. 
Chief  Justice  Tilghman,  Edward  Pennington  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beazely, 
are  a  Committee  to  provide  suitable  aid  for  such  youths  of  "  genius  and  Jiiety" 
who  may  desire  to  prepare  themselves  as  candidates  for  the  ministry,  but 
need  the  fostering  hand  of  benevolence  for  their  education. 

LIBRARY. 
C.  N.  Banker,  E.  Pennington,  J.  C.  Stocker,  Jacob  Hall  and  James  Mont- 
gomery, are  a  Committee,  who  have  the  charge  of  all  books  belonging  to  the 
Society,  and  the  superintendence  of  the  Library,  which  contains  many  valua- 
ble works.  Any  member  of  the  Committee  will  receive  donations  of  books 
suitable  to  be  placed  in  the  Library. 

TRACTS. 
Rev.  George  Boyj;  Charles  Wheeler  and  James  Montgomery,  are  a  Com- 
mittee, to  superintend  the  publication  of  suitable  Tracts,  &c. 

CHURCH  IN  THE  NORTHERN  LIBERTIES. 

Richard  Dale,  Richard  North,  William  Murdock,  John  Robbins,  and 
Charles  Wheeler,  are  a  Committee,  to  confer  with  Episcopalians  in  the 
JVorthern  Liberties zndhs  vicinity,  relative  to  the  Episcopal  Church  erecting 
in  that  township. 

Committees  to  collect  Subscriptions  and  to  obtain  J^cnt)  Subscribers. 

Christ  Church. — George  Bringhurst,  E.  Pennington,  William  Murdock. 

St,  Paul's. — Dr.  Glentworth,  Richard  North,  John  Claxton,  J.  Robbins. 

St.  Peter's. — James  Sawer,  Horace  Binney,  J.  C.  Stocker. 

St.  James. — Richard  Dale,  John  Perot. 

1X7*  The  Subscribers  would  relieve  the  Committees  by  calling  on  Thomas  Haley 
Treaeiirerf  J^'o.  83,  Chesnut  Street^  to  pay  their  annual  subscription. 


12 


CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE  I. 
THE  name  of  this  Society  shall  be  "  The  Society  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  for  the  Advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania."  Its  ob- 
ject is  the  promotion  of  Christian  knowledge,  learning  and  piety,  in  this  state. 

ARTICLE  II. 

The  officers  of  the  Society  shall  be  a  president,  three  vice-presidents, 
twenty  ti-ustees,  a  treasurer,  a  corresponding  secretary,  and  a  recording  se- 
cretary, who,  together,  shall  form  a  board,  to  be  denominated,  "  The  board  of 
Trustees;"  any  five  of  whom  shall  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  busi- 
ness. The  bishop  shall,  ex  officio^  be  president  of  the  society.  The  other 
officers  shall  be  appointed  by  ballot  at  the  anniversary  meeting  of  the  society, 
and  a  plurality  of  votes  shall  constitute  a  choice. 

Clergymen  of  the  church,  resident  in  the  city  or  county  of  Philadelphia, 
members  of  the  society,  and  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  state  convention,  shall 
be  trustees  of  the  society,  in  addition  to  the  trustees  to  be  elected  as  aforesaid, 
and  wkh  similar  powers — provided  they  do  not  exceed  nine  in  number;  and 
when  they  exceed  that  number,  it  shall  be  confined  to  the  nine  eldest  in  settle- 
ment. 

Vacancies  in  the  offices  of  the  society,  shall  be  filled  by  the  board  of  trus- 
tees, until  the  annual  election  next  succeeding  the  happening  of  such  va- 
cancies. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Every  member  of  the  society  shall,  during  membership,  pay  annually  in 
advance  to  the  treasurer,  the  sum  of  five  dollars,  for  the  use  of  the  society. 
Such  persons  as  shall  at  any  time  pay  fifty  dollars,  or  more,  shall  be  members 
of  the  society  for  life  without  the  annual  payments;  such  donations  as  the 
pious  and  benevolent  may  at  any  time  make,  for  the  promotion  of  the  pur- 
poses of  the  society,  shall  also  be  received  by  the  treasurer;  and  the  trustees 
shall  cause  a  record  to  be  kept  of  the  names  of  all  such  benefactors,  with  an 
account  of  their  donations. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

The  lands  or  other  real  estate  which  the  society  may  at  any  time  acquire, 
Sihall  be  devoted  to  furthering  their  general  objects;  and  shall  be  held,  occu- 
pied, appropriated  and  disposed  of  in  such  manner  as  the  by-laws  and  resolu- 
tions of  the  society  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  V. 

There  shall  be  annually  a  meeting  of  the  society  in  Philadelphia,  on  the 
feast  of  the  Epiphany;  on  which  day,  or  on  such  other  day,  and  in  such  church 
as  shall  be  appointed  by  the  board  of  trustees,  a  sermon,  suitable  to  the  occa- 
sion, shall  be  preached  before  them,  by  such  clergymen  as  shall  have  been 
appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  board  of  trustees;  after  which  a  collection 
shall  be  made  for  the  increase  of  the  funds  of  the  society.  The  rectors  of  other 
churches  shall  be  invited  to  have  services  performed,  and  collections  made, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  institution,  on  such  days  and  in  such  manner  as  may  be 
ag:reeable  to  the  proper  parochial  authority;  and  whenever  the  feast  of  the 


Epiphany  shall  fall  on  Sunday,  the  secular  business  of  the  society  shall  be 
performed  on  the  day  after. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

The  board  of  trustees  shall  hold  stated  meetings  at  least  four  times  a  year, 
and  may  hold  adjourned  meetings  when  necessary.  Special  meetings  may  be 
called  by  the  president,  or  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  presidency,  by  the  se- 
nior vice-president,  or  by  a  majority  of  the  board  of  trustees;  but  when  special 
meetings  are  called,  the  time  and  place  of  meeting,  and  the  subjects  pro- 
posed to  be  considered,  shall  be  previously  notified  to  the  members;  and  no 
other  subject  shall  be  discussed  or  acted  upon  at  such  meeting  unless  there 
be  at  least  twelve  members  present.  To  the  board  of  trustees  shall  be  com- 
mitted the  care  of  the  society's  funds,  and  the  transaction  of  its  entire  busi- 
ness. They  shall  have  power,  according  to  their  discretion,  and  as  the  funds 
will  allow,  to  distribute  copies  of  the  Bible,  the  book  of  Common  Prayer,  use- 
ful religious  tracts,  and  other  works  of  approved  reputation;  to  send  forth, 
under  the  sanction  and  direction  of  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  the  diocess, 
missionaries  to  those  places  within  this  state,  where  there  is  ground  for  the 
expectation  that  their  labours  will  be  useful  in  spreading  the  truths,  and  pro- 
moting the  practice  of  the  holy  morality  of  the  gospel — to  take  by  the  hand 
youths  of  genius  and  piety,  who  need  the  fostering  aid  of  benevolence,  and  are 
meet  to  be  trained  up  for  the  ministry  of  the  church,  and  see  that  they  be 
properly  educated:  and  in  general  to  adopt  and  execute  such  measures,  as  in 
their  best  judgment  they  shall  deem  good  and  practicable  for  the  accomplish- 
xaent  of  the  purposes  of  the  society. 

ARTICLE  Vn. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  trustees,  at  every  anniversary,  to  lay  be- 
fore the  society  a  report  of  the  proceedings  during  the  preceding  year;  to 
exhibit  a  full  and  accurate  view  of  the  state  of  the  society's  funds,  and  other 
property;  and  to  inform  them  of  any  matters  relative  to  the  objects  of  the  so- 
ciety, which  may  be  interesting  to  its  members.  A  copy  of  their  proceedings 
shall  be  annually  sent  to  the  secretary  of  the  council  of  advice,  in  order  to  give 
opportunity  for  any  opinions  or  remarks  of  the  bishop,  or  of  that  council,  or 
of  the  state  convention,  to  whose  inspection  they  shall  be  always  open. 

ARTICLE  VIIL 

The  members  of  the  society,  resident  within  any  county  or  town  in  this 
state,  other  than  Philadelphia,  may  form  themselves  into  corresponding  so- 
cieties, to  communicate  with  the  parent  society;  and  as  a  part  of  it,  and  under 
its  direction,  to  aid  in  promoting  the  general  object. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

This  society  being  intended  to  assist,  but  not  in  any  degree  to  interfere 
with,  or  intrench  upon  the  established  authority  of  the  church,  in  promoting 
her  interest  and  advancement  in  Pennsylvania,  it  is  hereby  declared,  that  in 
whatever  shall  be  done,  that  authority  shall  be  recognized  and  conformed  to. 

ARTICLE  X. 

The  constitution  shall  not  be  altered,  unless  it  be  at  an  annual  meeting, 
with  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  then  present,  and  in  the  mode 
prescribed  by  law;  and  the  object  of  the  society  shall  never  be  changed. 


14 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Society,  held  at  St.  James's  Church,  on 
Wednesday,  the  6th  of  January,  1816,  the  following  officers 
were  elected  for  the  present  year. 

Right  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D.  President. 

Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  "^ 

Chief  Justice  William  TilghmanA  Vice-Presidents. 

John  Perot,  j 

Rev.  George  Boyd,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Charles  N.  Bancker,  Recording  Secretary. 

Thomas  Hale,  Treasurer. 


TRUSTEES. 


Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D. 

James  Abercrombie,  D.  D. 

Joseph  Turner, 

Frederick  Beazley,  D.  D. 

James  Wiltbank, 

Jackson  Kemper, 

James  Milnor, 
Walter  Kerr, 
Caleb  P.  Wayne, 
John  C.  Stocker,  junr. 
P.  F.  Glentworth,  M.  D. 
William  Murdock, 
Richard  North, 
James  Sawer, 


Horace  Binney, 
Paul  Beck,  junr. 
Jacob  Hall, 
John  B.  Wallace, 
Edward  Pennington, 
James  S.  Smith, 
James  Montgomery, 
Charles  Wheeler, 
John  Claxton, 
Richard  Dale, 
G.  Bringhurst, 
John  Robbing, 
W.  Meredith. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS. 


LIFE  SUBSCRIBERS. 

Thomas  Armat,  Germantown;  Richard  Bailey,  Germantown;  Paul  Beck,  junr.  Tho- 
mas Burke,  William  Challoner,  Joseph  Clark,  William  Davidson,  Jane  Duche,  Thomas 
W.  Francis,  Edward  Gray,  Hannah  Lardner,  William  Mille,  Thomas  M'Euen,  James 
Milnor,  John  Myers,  Lewis  Neill,  R.  Peters,  Benjamin  Rush,  M.  D.  James  Stokes, 
Germantown;  Samuel  Sitgreaves,  Easton;  Benjamin  Stiles,  Bankson  Taylor,  C.  Justice 
William  Tilghman,  Peter  Van  Pelt,  John  B.  Wallace,  Mary  Binney. 

ANNUAL  SUBSCRIBERS. 

A 
Rev.  James  Abercrombie,  D.  D.  William  Adams,  Rev.  John  Armstrong,  York,  Penn.; 
Michael  W.  Ash,  John  Ashburner. 

B 

Sarah  Baird,  William  J.  Baker,  Charles  N.  Bancker,  Charles  Barrington,  Richard 
Barrington,  B.  S.  Barton,  Esther  Barton,  William  Bethell,  William  I.  Bell,  William  S. 
Biddle,  Charles  Biddle,  Charles  Biddle,  junr.  Thomas  "Biggs,  Horace  Binney,  Sarah 
Barry,  John  Bioren,  Rev.  Robert  Blackwell,  D.  D.  Edward  Bowlby,  Samuel  F.  Brad- 
ford, George  Bringhurst,  Sarah  Browne,  Edward  Burd,  Nathan  Bunker. 


Charles  Caldwell,  Joseph  Carson,  Catharine  Chew,  Benjamin  Chew,  Elizabeth  Chew, 
Mary  Clapier,  Charlotte  Cox,  Thomas  Charlton,  Jacob  Clark,  Ellis  Clark,  Benjamin 
Clark,  Catharine  Clark,  Ephraim  Clark,  John  Claxton,  Jacob  Clement,  Jacob  Clement, 
junr.  Joseph  Cooper,  Collin  Cooper,  Thomas  Cooper,  John  Coulter,  Israel  Coulter,  Es- 
ther Cox,  John  R.  Cox,  M.  D.  Thomas  Cumpston,  WUliara  Currie,  Jas.  Carson,  Rev. 
Jehu  C.  Clay,  Norristown,  Pa. 


15 

D 

Richard  Dale,  Hugh  De  Haven,  Hugh  De  Haven,  junr,  Phebe  Dickinson,  Mary 
Donaldson,  Germantown;  J.  M.  Douglass,  James  H.  Dundas,  John  Du  Puy. 

E 

James  Eccles,  John  Elliott,  Lewis  Ellmaker,  Elisha  N.  English,  Robert  T.  Evans, 
Manuel  Eyre,  William  G.  Elder,  Somerset,  Pa. 

F 

Thomas  Fenton,  Robert  Fielding,  Mary  Fisher,  Elizabeth  P.  Fisher,  Willing  Francis, 
John  Francis,  Thomas  Francis,  George  Harrison  Francis,  Charles  Francis,  junr. 

G 

James  Gamble,  Richard  George,  James  Gibson,  P.  F.  Glentworth,  M.  D.,  Robert  E. 
Griffitli,  Mary  Graham,  James  Gowan,  Joseph  P.  Grant. 

H 

Thomas  Hale,  Jacob  Hall,  David  Hall,  Margaret  Hamilton — Woodlands;  Andrew 
Hamilton — Woodlands;  James  Hamilton — Woodlands;  Charles  W.  Hare,  John  Harland, 
Jane  Harland,  George  Harrison,  Henry  Harrison,  Henry  Hawkins,  Samuel  Hazlehurst, 
Stephen  Henderson,  Bernard  Henry,  Henry  HolUngsworth,  Levi  Hollingsworth,  I.  C. 
Hommann,  Hannah  Hood,  Joseph  Hopkinson,  Joseph  Huddell,  Joseph  Huddell,  junr. 
Samuel  Humphreys,  James  Y.  Humphreys,  John  Hunt,  George  Hogg,  junr.  Browns* 
vUle,  Pa. 

I 

Catharine  Ingles,  John  Inskeep,  Isaac  Jones,  Isaac  H.  Jones,  Thomas  Jones,  Joseph 
Jones,  Alphonso  C.  Ireland. 

K 

John  Keene,  Samuel  Keith,  Rev.  Jackson  Kemper,  Edward  Killy,  John  Kempton, 
Walter  Kerr,  James  King,  James  P.  Kingston,  William  Kirkham,  Daniel  Knight, 
Henry  Kuhl,  William  Kyle. 

J-i 

John  Lardner,  William  Lardner,  Lower  Dublin;  Edward  Lane,  John  H.  Linn,  Re- 
becca Leaming  Thomas  F.  Learning,  John  Lohra,  Peter  Lohra,  Sampson  Levy,  Miss 
Lyman. 

M 

Margaret  M'Call,  Judith  M'Call,  Margaret  M'Call,  George  W.  M'Coy,  William 
M'Kenzie,  John  Markland,  James  Moyes,  Roxborough,  P.  county;  John  Markoe,  Wil- 
liam Meredith,  Ann  Meredith,  Alexander  Miller,  Juliana  Miller,  John  Miller,  junr. 
Richard  Milne,  William  Milnor,  junr.  Austin  Montgomery,  James  Montgomery,  Frede- 
rick Montmollin,  Thomas  Moore,  junr.  Marmaduke  Moore,  John  W.  Morrell,  Robert 
Morrell,  Benjamin  Morris,  Mary  Montgomery,  Mary  Muhlenberg,  William  Murdock, 
Alexander  Murray,  James  Musgrave. 

N 
Joseph  Norman,  Richard  North,  Stephen  North. 

P 

John  Parham,  Edward  Penington,  Margaret  Pepper,  John  Perot,  James  Perot,  Ed- 
ward Perot,  William  Phillips,  Rebecca  Phillips,  Rev.  Joseph  Pilmore,  D.  D.  Richard 
C.  Potter,  John  Poulson,  Charles  A.  Poulson,  Elizabeth  Powel,  John  H.  Powel,  Henry 
Pratt,  John  M.  Price,  Charles  Perry. 

R 

Condy  Raguet,  Robert  Ralston,  Sarah  Ralston,  William  Read,  George  Reinholdt, 
John  Robbins,  Samuel  J.  Robbins,  Thomas  Roberts,  James  Robertson,  John  Read. 

S 

James  Sawer,  William  Schlatter,  Maria  C.  Sheaff,  John  D.  Sheaff,  Mary  Swift, 
George  Simpson,  H.  Simpson,  J.  S.  Skerrett,  The  Miss  Smarts,  Germantown;  The  Misi 
Smiths,  William  Smith,  Richard  Smith,  Daniel  Smith,  Frans.  G.  Smidi,  Dockeray 
Smith,  James  S.  Smith,  George  Summers,  Cr«oke  Stevensoo,  Jokn  C.  Stocker,  Marga- 


16 

relStocker,  John  M.  Scott,  Juliana  Scott,  Anthony  Stocker,  John^C  Stocker,  junr., 
John  Stoddart. 

T 
Eliza  D.  Teackle,  Joseph  Tag'ert,  Benjamin  Tanner,  Mary  Ann  Thomas,  George 
Thompson,  Edward  Thompson,  Rebecca  Trenchard,  Rev.  Joseph  Turner,  George  Try- 
on,  Edward  T  wells,  Sarah  T wells,  Godfrey  T wells. 

V 

John  Vallance,  Thomas  Vizer. 

W 

J.  G.  Wachsmuth,  Francis  Wade,  Joshua  M.  Wallace,  junr.  David  Ware,  Caleb  P. 
Wayne,  John  Wharton,  Charles  Wheeler,  Samuel  Wheeler,  Rt.  Rev.  Williain  White, 
D.  D.  Thos.  H.  White,  Jacob  C.  Wikoff,  James  Williams,  Thomas  M.  WiUing,  Tho- 
mas  Willing',  Eliza  AVilling,  George  Willing,  Robert  B  Willing,  Rev.  James  Wiltbank, 
Christian  Wiltberger,  Joseph  Worrell,  Bird  Wilson,  Norristown;  John  Webster,  Somer- 
set, Pa. 


NEW  LIFE  SUBSCRIBERS. 
Sarah  Brinton,  Sarali  Carmac,  Mary  R.  Hutchins,  James  Peirson,  John  C.  Montgomery. 

NEW  ANNUAL  SUBSCRIBERS. 
Richard  Ashhurst,  John  H.  Brinton,  Turner  Carmac,  Edward  S.  Burd,  F.  Stillwag- 
gon,  Charles  Richards,  Sarah  Keen,  Esther  Waters,  William  Shepherd,  Ann  Poyntell, 
Eliza  Astor,  Ann  Lyman,  Robert  Caldcleugh,  John  Sims,  George  Wood,  Mrs.  Frede- 
rick Kohne,  Sarah  Mickle  Cox,  Samuel  Patten. 


NOTICE. 

In  all  devises  and  bequests  to  the  Society,  the  proper  style  and  name  of  the 
corporation  must  be  used,  which  is,  "  The  Society  of  the  Protestant  Ejfiiscofial 
Churchy  for  the  Advancement  of  Christianity  in  Pennsylvania." 


07*  Subscribers  to  the  Society,  or  members  of  the  church  desirous  of 
having  this  report,  or  any  of  the  preceding  ones,  can  be  furnished  on  applica- 
tion to  the  Publishing  Committee,  who  are,  C.  P.  Wayne  and  Charles 
Wheeler,  or  by  applying  to  any  of  the  trustees. 


BX5918.P4A6«a 

Report  of  the  Board  of  trustees...  1st 


Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00048  2150 


